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Clare TD Calls On Minister To Visit Shannon To Allay ‘Emergency Accommodation Concerns’

A Clare Independent TD is calling on the Minister for Integration to visit Shannon to allay what she says are concerns surrounding an emergency accommodation plan in the town.

It’s understood a unit has been made available for refugee accommodation in Shannon by the Office of Public Works, with work ongoing to bring the facility up to standard.

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It’s understood a unit has been made available for refugee accommodation in Shannon by the Office of Public Works, with work ongoing to bring the facility up to standard.

 

The matter has prompted Independent Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne to write to Minister Roderic O’ Gorman, outlining what she believes are ‘very legitimate concerns’ that need to be addressed.

The letter, seen by Clare FM, claims ‘shockwaves’ have been sent through Shannon due to a ‘vacuum’ created by what Deputy Wynne describes as a ‘lack of information’ on the matter.

The Independent TD believes that the location of the unit ‘will not be equipped with the necessary local services for the residents of the accommodation to have an adequate standard of living’.

Deputy Wynne’s calling on Minister O’ Gorman to visit Shannon over the coming weeks to engage with local residents.

The Department of Integration’s told Clare FM it will engage ‘with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible’ once an agreement with contractors on opening the facility is reached.

Statement from the Department of Integration

The accommodation of international protection applicants (IPAs) is a demand-led process with applicants arriving in the country and seeking accommodation spontaneously. In 2022, over 15,000 IPAs arrived in Ireland, the largest number of arrivals accommodated since records began. For context, the average arrival figure for IP applicants for the 3 year period from (2017 to 2019) was 3,500. As at 9 January 2023, there are over 19,400 people accommodated in International Protection Application Services (IPAS) accommodation centres. This compares with 7,250 people accommodated at the same time last year

Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been over 60 accommodation locations utilised since January across 17 counties.

Since 24 February 2022, the Department has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge from the invasion of Ukraine, amounting to almost 55,000 people. The pressure to accommodate almost 70,000 people in such a short period of time has led to significant shortages, particularly for the international protection cohort. Access to suitable accommodation is severely constrained.

The number of IPAs and Ukrainian BOTPs arriving in Ireland is expected to remain at elevated levels for the foreseeable future. The Department has been forced to avail of all offers of accommodation made, including the use of office buildings and tented accommodation, to address the shortfall. While the Department is aware that these types of accommodation are less than ideal it is working hard to find solutions, through the use facilities management companies in some cases, to offer emergency food, shelter and sanitation provision to both cohorts.

As indicated in the media, The Office of Public Works (OPW) have offered the specified building to (DCEDIY) to provide emergency accommodation for those seeking refuge in Ireland. The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) is currently working with OPW to develop proposals/designs to use this state-owned property to accommodate international protection applicants. The engagement is ongoing and no contract has yet been signed nor has a facilities management company been awarded a contract to run this facility.

The Department cannot comment on specific plans for accommodation pending the agreement of rates, terms and contracts with providers as this is commercially sensitive information.

Before the opening of any facility the Department engages with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms with contractors.

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