The Government is currently looking at more than 30 large buildings for use as accommodation for migrants claiming asylum, despite clashes and unrest in Coolock this week as Gardaí moved to facilitate development of a site for accommodation for hundreds of asylum seekers.
The possible use of the buildings is part of a strategy by government to move away from reliance on hotels and emergency accommodation, the Irish Times reported.
Previously, the Department of Integration sought expressions of interest today from property owners, private developers and building contractors for the provision of premises which could provide at least 150 bedrooms.
Last week, Senator Sharon Keogan blasted “non-existent public consultation” from the government, telling the Seanad that she had received recent confirmation that Thornton Hall in Meath is set to become a “tent city.”
She said she had been briefed by the Civic Engagement Group for the Department of Integration, along with other Oireachtas members, who were “shocked” to learn that the tender for the accommodation had already been awarded.
In response, Senator Michael McDowell said he understood said people felt “fear and apprehension” about the future of their local communities “if large numbers of people are accommodated in single centres in certain locations.”
The site at Thornton Hall was previously ear-marked as a large prison, but is now set to host at least 1,000 asylum seekers. It is understood that five acres of the 156-acre site, owned by the Department of Justice, will initially be used for tented accommodation.
At a recent protest against the proposed asylum centre, local Councillor Gillian Toole says that people are concerned they’ll be forced to “compete” with new arrivals for access to GPs, A&E spaces and social housing.
It has also been reported that a prominent Limerick City office block, River House on Charlotte’s Quay, is set to be used for asylum accommodation.
“The building’s owner, Tony O’Neill and Peppard Construction Ltd, gave a seven day notice to Limerick City and County Council notifying them of his intention to change the use of the building and giving notice of his intent to start works on the building,” the Limerick Post said.
According to IPAS statistics, 10,604 persons have applied for asylum here since January 2024 – a 93.9% increase on the figure for the same period in 2023.
The highest number of applications were from Nigeria, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Bangladesh, the report to June 30, 2024 revealed.
