A Fine Gael councillor says following direct communication with the Taoiseach the accommodation of 74 asylum seekers in Cashel Town Hostel is being paused.
Declan Burgess confirmed the news that there will not be any refugees arriving in the Hostel tomorrow morning.
Cllr Burgess says this deferral is to allow IPAS and Tipperary County Council to engage constructively adding this engagement should have taken place day one.
The Department have confirmed again that they weren’t aware of the local authorities involvement, placing homeless citizens into temporary accommodation at this location.
The Cashel based councillor sags he deeply appreciates the support that must be provided to refugees however, a move like this should never displace homeless people and their families.
Cllr Burgess hopes the Department will come to the final conclusion that it was wrong to engage a facility that was being used for emergency temporary accommodation.
Meanwhile Sinn Féin’s Martin Browne says “displacing homeless people in need of emergency accommodation so that the department can fulfil its obligations to asylum seekers and those seeking international protection is an example of the chaotic approach taken by a government that has failed to plan for the requirements it has an obligation to meet.
The Cashel based TD says “Immigration must be managed by well-functioning rules and regulations that everyone understands and that serves the interest of the people of the country.
The local TD says the government’s plan for Cashel was obviously not shared between the Department of Children and Integration and the Department of Housing.
Deputy Browne says “the people of Cashel have been shown complete disrespect on the part of the Department and of the government.“
