OLD HOTEL TO BECOME CENTRE FOR REFUGEES
A RECEPTION and orientation centre for Syrian war refugees is to be set up at the old Cedar’s Hotel in Rosslare Strand.
The centre, which will up and running by September, will cater for between 60 and 90 refugees from the Syria conflict and will include educational and support services, while children from among the refugees living at the centre will attend Scoil Mhuire in Rosslare Strand.
The 34-bedroom refugee centre will be the third of its kind in Ireland and follows similar developments in Ballaghadreen and Dungarvan. Asked by this newspaper about the development, local councillor Ger Carthy said any problems can be worked through with the support of the business, school and wider communities in Rosslare who he believes will embrace the initiative.
‘I certainly welcome it and hope local people will embrace them with open arms because of the circumstances they find themselves in,’ said Cllr Carthy, speaking after a behind closed doors meeting at County Hall.
He said the project would last for two years and would include the derelict Cedars Hotel being renovated by the Department of Justice, which briefed councillors at the meeting.
‘I would hope the centre would be returned to its former use as a hotel at the end of the two years.
Cllr Carthy said all 34 members at the meeting ‘unanimously supported’ the initiative, which was a reception and orientation centre, not a direct provision centre, which meant that people at it would move for re-housing anywhere in the country after a successful period of induction.
‘We have to do our bit to help them,’ said Cllr Carthy, adding that the development wll lead to the creation of local jobs through the provision of services, which wil be fully funded by the Department of Justice.
There are already a number of Syrian refugee families living in Wexford, who spent several months at the reception and orientation centre in Dungarvan while more are due to be rehoused in Ennicorthy over the coming weeks.