A North Clare guest house is set to become a temporary emergency accommodation facility for International Protection Applicants.
The Department of Integration has confirmed through a briefing document that 34 new beds are to be provided for Asylum Seekers in Ballyvaughan.
Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way at 67 Bishopsquare, Ballyvaughan, Drumcreehy House comprises of 18 rooms varying in size.
The accommodation is intended for families of International Protection Applicants and the Department states there are a sufficient number of bathrooms and showers for the 34 residents.
There will be a self-catering service provided on this site and residents will be provided with a weekly voucher or debit card for a local shop compliant with the IPAS Points and System and refreshments stations will be available 24 hours.
Each resident will have toiletries replenished weekly and other essentials such as toilet paper replenished as needed.
The facility will have high speed fibre Wi-Fi and fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment and security cameras fitted throughout the common walking areas.
A valid fire cert is in place and has been provided to the Department and all supporting fire and insurance documentation has been received.
The property is owned and operated by Alber Capital Limited with at least two members of staff on-site 24 hours a day.
There will be a manager, an assistant manager, two cleaners and licensed security staff on site at all times.
The facilities management company has previous experience in the provision of accommodation centres for IPAS.
There will also be security staff present 24/7, while there will also be CCTV in place.
The Department of Integration states that given the scale and urgency of the operation to source accommodation for new arrivals,there has been a requirement to act at pace, with developments often happening at very short notice.
There are currently 720 International Protection Applicants living in Clare in addition to 5,519 Ukrainian refugees.
Questions and Responses from the Department of Education
1. How many people are intended to be accommodated in Drumcreehy House, 67
Bishopsquare, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare? What will the resident breakdown be at the building?
The capacity is for 34 people in 18 rooms.
The accommodation will be for families of international protection applicants.
2. How long can people expect to stay there?
It is not possible to say with certainty what the length of stay will be having regard
to the number of IP applicants arriving in Ireland and the scarcity of alternative
accommodation. A one-year contract has been signed with the provider.
3. What are the conditions at the site – what are the sleeping arrangements, toilets,
showers, etc.? What are the catering arrangements for the building?
The property consists of a guest house located in the fishing village of Ballyvaughan, situated on the Wild Atlantic Way in Co Clare.
Accommodation consists of 18 rooms varying in size. All rooms are en suite.
There are sufficient numbers of bathrooms and showers for the number of
residents. There will be a self-catering service provided on this site. Residents will be provided with a weekly voucher or debit card for a local shop compliant with the IPAS Points System and refreshments stations will be available 24 hours per day.
Each resident will have toiletries replenished weekly and other essentials such as
toilet paper replenished as needed.
The facility will have high speed fibre Wi-Fi. Fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment and security cameras fitted throughout the
common walking areas.
4. Who are the owners and who are operating on site? What experience do they have?
The property is owned and operated by Alber Capital Limited with at least two
members of staff on-site 24 hours a day. There will be a manager, an assistant
manager, two cleaners and licensed security staff on site at all times. The facilities
management company has previous experience in the provision of accommodation
centres for IPAS.
In addition, the Centre Management team in IPAS have developed and rolled out
(as a pilot initially) a training programme for all centre managers to take part in
and this will be offered to the provider.
5. How many staff are on site? Is there a presence there 24/7? What are the security arrangements for the building?
The facility will be staffed 24/7. There will be a manager, an assistant manager,
two cleaners on site.
There will be security staff present 24/7. There is also CCTV in place.
6. Is the building fire cert in place?
A valid fire cert is in place and has been provided to the Department. All supporting
fire and insurance documentation has been received.
7. How will people be accommodated on site and retain a degree of privacy?
Each resident will have their own lockable bedroom and 24-hour access.
Each shower and toilet is appropriately partitioned for privacy.
8. How will IP applicants be provided with PPS numbers? Are some of them eligible to
work?
PPSNs are provided through the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
International Protection applicants cannot access the labour market for the first six months
that they are in Ireland. After 5 months, international protection applicants can apply to the
Department of Justice for permission to access the labour market and if granted, this
permission will only become valid 6 months after the date of application for international
protection. Most of the residents will be new arrivals. Many who have found work are
making a positive contribution to the local and national economies, particularly in areas
where there are skills shortages.
9. What health supports are available to IP Applicants?
The Department’s International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) works closely
with the HSE. IP applicants access health services through mainstream services: primary
care, GP and emergency services. Any IP applicant residing in IPAS accommodation is
entitled to a medical card. IPAS will advise their HSE liaison in advance of residents being
accommodated.
10. What integration supports are available to provide linkages with the local
community?
IPAS carry out resident clinics at all new and existing accommodation locations. IPAS also
work with a number of NGOs who provide support to residents in the form of clinics, and in
addition there is a DCEDIY funded confidential NGO run helpline to assist with any queries a resident may have.
11. What supports are available to provide day-to-day activities to the IP Applicants?
IP applicants may avail of English language classes through their local Education and
Training Board (ETB)
An adult resident receives an allowance of €38.80 per week.
Other assistance from the Department of Social Protection, such as bus fares to
attend appointments, is available at the discretion of the local Community Welfare
Officer.
Adults are entitled to work in Ireland after six months.
IPAS carries out resident clinics at all new and existing accommodation locations to
communicate with residents.
IPAS works closely with the HSE. International protection applicants are entitled to
access mainstream health services.
IPAS works with a number of Non-Governmental Organisations who provide support
to residents in the form of clinics, and there is a Department of Children, Education,
Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) funded confidential NGO-run helpline to
assist with any queries that residents may have as well as an IPAS Helpdesk manned
by Department officials.
International protection applicant (IPAs) are not entitled to apply for or avail of social
housing or the Housing Assistance Payment while their claim for asylum is being
determined by the International Protection Office (IPO).
If an international protection applicant (IPA) has somewhere else to live in Ireland
such as with a friend, spouse or family member they may do so. If an IPA does not
have somewhere to live and needs to be accommodated by the Irish State, for the
duration of their application for asylum with the International Protection Office
(IPO), they will be accommodated in an International Protection Accommodation
Service (IPAS) centre.
International Protection applicants with permission to access the labour market can
avail of Intreo (the Public Employment Service) supports and services.
Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses are also often focused on directly developing
skills for employment and applicants are provided access will also be provided to
employer networks to make applicants aware of available opportunities and to raise
employer awareness of applicants’ skills and qualifications.
12. Is any assessment provided to IP Applicants to ascertain their needs or
vulnerabilities?
Yes. IPAS have a team working to provide vulnerability assessments. (It should be noted that this team remains under considerable pressure in the context of high numbers of arrivals and opening of a high number of new emergency locations.
13. Is Ballyvaughan the only area considered for this type of accommodation, or have other areas in the county/country been examined?
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been over 190
accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties. These options
must be considered to prevent homelessness for the unprecedented numbers of people
arriving seeking international protection.
14. Who should public representatives contact with follow-on queries or concerns?
The Community Engagement Team is working across Government to ensure a more coordinated approach. Queries on this specific location can be directed to
[email protected]
