It’s claimed Ballyvaughan is at risk of becoming a ghost town due to the proliferation of guest houses and hotels now housing International Protection Applicants.
It follows a meeting held between community representatives and the Department of Integration last night over the imminent arrival of Asylum Seekers, comprised of family units, to Drumcreehy House in the village.
Drumcreehy Country House had been booked out for the summer, but now the high-end facility has come under new ownership.
Its 18 rooms and 34 beds will instead be used to accommodate International Protection Applicants.
The provider Alber Capital LTD has previous experience in the IPAS sector and has signed a one-year contract with the Department of Integration.
The move has been met with sharp criticism from the community though, as local businesses dependent on visitor spending and healthcare providers were not informed of the development.
Following a meeting between Department officials, it emerged that prior community consultation is not part of the IPAS process, once an offer of accommodation is made.
Co-Chair of the Ballyvaughan Community Group, Robert Wainwright says the village is at risk of decimation.
Cabinet is meeting today to discuss changes that aim to slow the flow of International Protection Applicants.
North Clare Councillor Joe Garrihy has made presentations to Taoiseach Simon Harris and Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman calling for an urgent revision of policy.
The Fine Gael Representative says the allocation of Asylum Seekers to areas who have already taking large volumes without due consideration for the tourist economy has to stop.
You can listen to the full interview here:
