Change county Latest | 

‘The whole situation is crazy’ – Tipperary councillors react to hotel’s IPA move

Staff at Roscrea’s Racket Hall hotel must find alternative employment due to cancellation of local events

Fri 12 Jan 2024 at 17:17

Tipperary County Councillors have expressed shock at the decision to house 160 international protection applicants in Roscrea’s Racket Hall hotel, given that hotel staff will now have to find alternative employment, and so many events will have to be rescheduled.

Speaking at the January meeting of Tipperary County Council on Friday, Roscrea based Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Smith said there was dismay from staff at the Racket Hall that they would be no longer be working there due to the change of circumstances.

“That’s very difficult for families at any time of the year,” he said. The way it had been handled, “leaves a lot to be desired.” The sudden announcement, was “quite shocking.”

“It’s a severe blow to the town. The only active hotel in Roscrea, is going to host international protection applicants for the next 12 months.” Cllr Smith said a lot of organisations in Roscrea had “really stepped up” to house those fleeing conflict at two other sites in Roscrea.

“They did so with the best of intentions. Certainly in Roscrea, there’s a very warm welcome. Everyone put their shoulder to the wheel.” There isn’t a town in Ireland that has accepted the numbers of IP applicants that Roscrea has accepted, he said. Councillor Smith asked that the County Council write to Minister Roderic O’Gorman requesting a meeting with him, to find a resolution.

The email from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on Thursday evening, stated that the Racket Hall owners have a track record in relation to housing IP applicants. “I’m not aware of that, so there must a be a sister hotel,” said Cllr Smith.

Councillor Smith requested that the Council contact the hotel owners. What will be the plan after the contract, he asked. “When it was sprung on us yesterday, we were all very much aghast and shocked to hear the news.” A huge amount of events had been planned for the venue for the coming year, and now they will have to make other arrangements.

The formerly vacant Convent site in Roscrea now houses Ukrainians, who have been “very well received.” Cllr Smith said the Department should work with Tipperary County Council to “allay fears within our community.”

Roscrea has a direct provision centre located in Corville House in the former Sean Ross Abbey site, and 400 Ukrainians located at the former Sacred Heart Convent site in the heart of the town.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus Hanafin said his town of Thurles had experience of welcoming Syrian refugees in 2015. Back then, there was consultation, Doctor’s places arranged, and school places found for the children, he said.

That consultation hasn’t been possible in the past 12 months in the context of the Ukrainian situation, he added. The first of the modular units in Tipperary were opened recently, consisting of 64 units. There were 250 or more people housed in Thurles.

Councillor Hanafin said there is a huge concern about the lack of consultation between the Council and the Department of Immigration. Without proper consultation, “you end up with suspicion and fears, and incorrect information.” There should be proper consultation “across the country,” he added.

Fine Gael Cllr Noel Coonan estimated that Roscrea had accepted “with open arms” around 800 people from the international protection process and from Ukraine.

“I know that Racket Hall fairly well, but I’m amazed that it can accommodate 160 beds. We were told there was 40 bedrooms there,” he said. Cllr Coonan said four men came to him, pleading to him for help, as they were all living in the same room. “It affects you mentally,” he said.

“They were crying for help to get out to get accommodation somewhere else,” he said. Cllr Coonan had received a phone call from a solicitor concerning a refugee, who had living in Roscrea. Pictures of the accommodation showed “a deplorable state, with electricial wires hanging off it.” They had been pleading for help for months to get repairs carried out.

Cllr Coonan said there had been no inspections or back-up service. “The whole situation is crazy. I’d like to know the actual role of the Council? The contact that can be made? A name, a phone number.” Councillors are provided with a single email address, but there is “no one to allay any fears” or if some one falls ill.

It was “absolutely appalling” how it was handled. “We must listen to the voice of the people and those in authority are doing that at the moment in relation to this,” said Cllr Coonan. “It’s a tragedy waiting to happen.” Cllr Coonan seconded the motion to request a meeting with the Minister.

Cllr Pat English of the Workers and Unemployed Action Group (WUAG) said Clonmel had welcomed many Syrians and Ukrainians. “But there is absolutely no consultation,” he said. Roscrea has a lot of refugees already, putting more pressure on schools and local services “is not fair,” he said.

The fact that the staff of the Racket Hall are after losing their jobs “wasn’t even looked into,” said Cllr English.

Fine Gael Councillor Peggy Ryan said a letter was sent last month on the matter, but there was no feedback. “They just ploughed ahead. We all know that Roscrea in many ways is overextended, so it’s quite unfair,” she said.

The briefing note issued on Thursday evening, came “far too late.”

1:30

‘

“You’re putting people at the edge of the town, with €38 per week,” said Cllr Ryan. The negative stereotyping of people seeking refuge in Ireland and in Tipperary, is “absolutely unacceptable.”

Fianna Fáil Cllr Siobhán Ambrose said the key was communication. Public representatives are only finding out the night before, about arrangements between private providers and the Department. “It is not the way to do things. If a letter could be sent, prior to any announcement,” added Cllr Ambrose.

Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council, Joe MacGrath, said Roscrea and other communities across the county has been “exemplary” in accepting refugees, and acknowledged the “responsible tone of the debate.” Certain teams are in place to offer supports. However, it would unusual for the Council to contact the property owners directly, said Mr McGrath.

A multi-agency meeting that had been due to take place, has been brought forward to deal with Roscrea next week. Mr McGrath said the Department are under “extraordinary pressure” to source accommodation for the numbers entering the country.