The community in Dundrum gathered last night to receive an update on plans to create an IPAS accommodation Centre at Dundrum House Hotel. Deputy Mattie McGrath and Cllrs Mary Hanna, John O’Heney, Liam Browne, Rodger Kennedy and John Crosse from the local MD attended. Cllr Anne Marie Ryan sent apologies. Cllr Michael Murphy from Clonmel also attended.
Councillors who had attended a meeting yesterday afternoon were complimentary about the presentations made by members of the Dundrum Community at the meeting with 3 officials from the Department of Integration. The consensus was that although a contract had not yet been signed to create the facility it was likely that 80 people might be moved into the Kilmore houses section over the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Department officials say those accommodated in Dundrum will not include any males over 18 and that the proposed contract for Dundrum is the only IPAS centre in Ireland with such a clause. Councillors say they found this hard to believe. The meeting also heard that if the owner of the property was agreeable asylum seekers could be accommodated on the property without a formal contact being in place. It was also confirmed that the Department officials were of the view that the golf course, bar and restaurant and gym would all continue to operate and be available to the public if the complex becomes an IPAS centre.
The Department officials are to give consideration to the case made at the afternoon meeting that the Dundrum community does not want an IPAS centre. Last night’s public meeting agreed to send an all party delegation to meet with An Taoiseach Simon Harris if he would meet such a group to seek a political intervention. Deputy McGrath also revealed that on Monday morning he briefed the department officials about concerns members of the local community had about the suitability of the hotel to be contracting services with the State. There were also claims made that the complex does not have up to date fire certification in place.
Councillor Liam Browne proposed that if the Department wants to consolidate a number of centres hosting Ukrainians this could be done at Dundrum House Hotel complex rather than ask the existing Ukrainians to leave. Approximately 180 – 200 people attended last night’s meeting at Dundrum Scouts Hall.
