Uncertainty remains regarding the availability of accommodation in Cashel and the wider Tipperary area for people presenting as homeless or those seeking asylum.
Liam Browne, the community activist, who led a public meeting in Cashel on November 5th says he accepts confirmation that there will be no change of use at the hostel being considered for use by the Government at least in the short term.
Liam Browne describes this as a successful outcome “for now, but says the community will continue to closely monitor the situation into the future.”
Cashel Based TD Martin Browne is joining other local Public Representatives in welcoming the reversal of the plans to use the Cashel Town Hostel as accommodation for International Protection Applicants, which would have seen emergency accommodation for Tipperary’s homeless people removed.
Deputy Browne is now seeking a meeting for all Oireachtas members with the County Council’s Director of Housing Services in respect of Emergency Accommodation capacity in the county.
The Department must learn from events in Cashel and if plans are being made that affects a community then the Department must engage with the community and local public representatives as a priority according to Deputy Browne.
The TD says the lack of proper planning resulted in people experiencing homelessness being told to vacate the premises ahead of the bank holiday weekend, with no other housing options available to them at the time.
Deputy Browne wants the people who were removed from emergency accommodation to facilitate accommodation for asylum seekers to have their accommodation restored.
