58% of IPAS since September 2024 'absorbed in Donegal,' says Doherty TD
Donegal TD, Pearse Doherty claimed that 58% of International Protection Applicants (IPAS) arriving in Ireland since September 2024 have been “absorbed” in Donegal.
Donegal TD, Pearse Doherty claimed that 58% of International Protection Applicants (IPAS) arriving in Ireland since September 2024 have been “absorbed” in Donegal.
The Sinn Féin politician made the remarks on The Tonight Show on Virgin Media, whilst discussing the Government’s intended purchase of the Citywest Hotel in west Dublin.
Deputy Doherty spoke of Sinn Féin plans and criticised the Government’s application of the IPAS policy, saying there was a low level of consultation with local communities and a developer-led approach.
“There are a lot of millionaires that have been made as a result of this, and I think the problem with the Government response to this has been two-fold, and I don’t think they have learned their lessons,” said Deputy Doherty.
“We are the only party that has actually set out what we think should happen in relation to where these IPAS Centres should be located, and that is, first of all, that they should not be in areas of deprivation.”
Referencing Donegal, Deputy Doherty commented: “Since September of last year, the additional IPAS capacity in the state, 58% of it has been absorbed in Donegal, despite the fact that Donegal has the highest level of IPAS in the whole state per head of population.
“Why is that happening? Because again, it is not about a plan from the Government, it is about who is popping up offering a hotel, offering a B&B, and the Government are scrambling around and taking it, not looking at the community, not consulting with the community and no proper planning and that is not right.”