Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath continues to express concerns about the suitability of Dundrum House Hotel complex for use as an IPAS centre for asylum seekers. The TD is highlighting that a woman who is over 30 weeks into her pregnancy was moved to the complex last week. The woman has since been seen at a local hospital to ensure her pregnancy is proceeding as planned. The TD says the facility being used is the Kilmore Houses – a complex of two storey houses to the rear of the property that is accessed via a bridge over a stream. Deputy McGrath claims that some of the houses lack hot water, that the stream is a hazard for children and that the Civic Engagement team at the Department of Integration had given a commitment that the Kilmore Houses would not be sued for accommodation of asylum seekers. The houses were used to accommodate some of the refugees from Ukraine that are in Dundrum since 2022 – the asylum seekers are being accommodated under the contract put in place at that time as a new contract for an IPAS centre is said to continue to be under negotiation between the Department and the property owners.
The Tipperary Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT) are now actively engaged in supporting the new arrivals. The team’s purpose is to guide people to services they require to integrate into the community. The Local Authority Integration Team of five staff aims to support people to integrate by providing signposting to relevant services, delivering information sessions and providing confidential clinics with centre residents.
