Asylum centre with 160 new beds lies empty while ‘tent city’ grows
The rain bounced off the puddles on the road as three young migrants tried to tie a tarpaulin to railings and pull it over their tents for more protection. Yet a two-hour drive away, a purpose-built accommodation centre with 160 brand-new beds lies empty, caught up in red tape. In a week when the Government travelled the globe to celebrate the contribution of Irish emigrants, the treatment of those arriving on our shores came into critical focus.
The empty beds in Rosslare, Co Wexford, sum up the dysfunction in the system. The site of the old Great Southern Hotel beside the port has been picketed as locals protest against the development of an asylum-seeker centre, saying they want a nursing home.
Planning permission had been granted for a 90-bed nursing home on the derelict site, but when the investment for that project fell through, the developer sought to change its use to accommodation for asylum-seekers, known as an International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) centre.
The local council then referred the development to An Bord Pleanála to determine the status. The planning appeals board is supposed to make a determination this month, but the backlog means it will be delayed.
A suspected petrol bomb attack on the building site was viewed as the latest violent anti-immigrant incident. The attack was condemned by the local protesters.
Part of the complex is finished and could be ready to accommodate asylum seekers in a matter of weeks. Inside, 42 rooms are ready at three-star hotel standard, with a high-level finish and fit-out completed. Walking through the corridors is reminiscent of a modern hotel, with clean white walls and stone-grey patterned carpet.
The doors into the bedrooms are operated by keycards. Going into the room, the new mattresses, pillows and quilts are still covered in plastic and there is a large fridge-freezer. The bathroom is clean and shiny. The room is a tight fit for four beds, but still reasonably comfortable.
Despite the local objections, the Department of Integration still “hopes” to take on the centre if the planning issue is resolved.
“The local authority holds the statutory responsibility for regulation of planning matters, and it was after an issue was raised with them that the planning regulation being relied upon needed to be clarified. This is a matter to be resolved between the regulatory authority and the provider,” a department spokesperson said.
“The International Procurement Protection Service is appraising an offer of accommodation in respect of Great Southern Hotel. Following a full and thorough appraisal, and the delivery of documentary evidence of the statutory certification, the department would hope the property will be brought into use.”
The developer, Amhola Rosslare, wants to see “common sense” applied.
A spokesperson said: “The first phase building is ready for occupation, 42 bedrooms are available and the hotel is a serviced site in the centre of a community with facilities due to be provided by the operators of GP, dentist care and bus travel, so as not to put any strain on the local existing services; 160 people could be sleeping in this building tonight, in a safe, warm and healthy environment instead of tents in the street if common sense was applied to this project.”
Back on the streets in Dublin, the tents continue to multiply. In scenes reminiscent of the ‘jungle’ in Calais, a shanty town of 100-odd tents has grown up around the International Protection Office, where migrants make their applications for asylum.
Applicants can claim international protection in Ireland if they can prove they have come here to escape persecution in their own country, or cannot return to their country because they have a well-founded fear for their safety. However, nearly three out of five applicants were refused last year, up from one in five the previous year.
Since December, the Government no longer offers beds to any but the most vulnerable male asylum-seekers as it struggles to source accommodation.
Thus far, 1,260 asylum-seekers have been left without accommodation. The intention of the policy appears to be to act as a deterrent for economic migrants to come here if word gets out that they will not be given accommodation or granted residency.
The consequence is that between 100 and 150 tents have been pitched in the laneways surrounding the IPO offices on Mount Street, Dublin, about a half mile from Leinster House and Government Buildings. At this point, about 200 young men are staying in this shanty town without toilets, water or bins. The rubbish is piling up, the smell is rank and diseases like scabies are being detected among those sleeping there.
The Department of Integration says it is “urgently working on a solution”, which it hopes will be put into operation as soon as possible.
A spokesperson said: “We are not in a position to comment any further due to security considerations. The current situation is unsatisfactory, and every effort is being made by the department to resolve it.”
Attempts have been made to clear the tents ahead of St Patrick’s weekend. Government departments, agencies and charities are involved in finding housing for over 200 migrants.
Some of those occupying the tents have been moved to the old Central Mental Hospital site in Dundrum, which has been used to accommodate asylum-seekers. Rows of army tents have been erected in the grounds to provide shelter.
With ministers away for the St Patrick’s Day exodus, significant changes also came into effect this week concerning Ukrainian refugees. Now anyone fleeing the war with Russia and seeking temporary protection will be provided with housing for three months.
Government is urgently working on a solution to migrant camp
Staying in designated accommodation centres, they will be provided with a bed, food, laundry and other supports.
The Government also announced the location of five new Ukrainian refugee reception centres to provide accommodation: Ballyogan Road in Dublin, with 392 beds; Stradbally, Co Laois, with a capacity of 950; Fernbank, Limerick, with 250 spaces; Punchestown, Co Kildare, with 378; and Gerald Griffin Street, Cork, with 107 places.
Standard social welfare payments will also no longer be available, with rates cut to a weekly allowance of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child – the same as for those seeking asylum from other countries.
The Government says it is making these changes “to continue to meet the EU Temporary Protection Directive requirements and to align more closely with other EU member states”.
The focus on the treatment of migrants arriving in Ireland comes in a week when ministers mark the contribution of the Irish diaspora – and even lobby the US government for undocumented Irish immigrants.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Ireland Funds Boston Young Leaders event: “I believe our global diaspora – our community around the world – is one of the greatest resources that we have as a nation. It’s diverse, it’s vibrant and it has maintained a strong sense of Irish identity.”
The Taoiseach also referenced Saint Patrick, describing him as a “single, male, undocumented migrant”. He said there are many “hard-working” undocumented Irish people in the US, taking the opportunity to raise their plight.
Mr Varadkar also paid tribute to John F Kennedy as “a true friend to Ireland”. The assassinated president’s ancestors fled the famine and emigrated to the US.
The Taoiseach does not appear to have heard of practising what he preaches.
‘New mattresses, pillows and quilts are still covered in plastic. The room is a tight fit, but still reasonably comfortable’