Local people in Roscrea have been “kept in the dark” about government plans to open an additional migrant centre in the town Independent Councillor Shane Lee has said, adding that people have “huge anxiety about policing” and about services for 400 new arrivals in the area. He warned that if critical services could not be provided, the “result will be a catastrophe”.
He warned that: “Earlier additions to the population of the town have already resulted in Roscrea people struggling to access vital services. They feel that their town is being taken over without any engagement or consideration for their needs and they have had no opportunity to establish the facts on what is happening, much less voice an opinion.”
Local TD, Jackie Cahill, confirmed to Tipp FM today that work is underway to convert the former Sacred Heart Convent secondary school in the town into a accommodation centre and that 402 people will be housed in the premises.
The convent and school has been partly dormant since 1999 when it closed after providing education in the town for 157 years.
Last month, speculation began amongst local people regarding plans for the building after preparation work for construction began on the site, the Ireland Live news site reported.
Roscrea is already struggling to accommodate an existing direct provision centre located in Corville House, Cllr Lee said.
He urged the owner of the former Sacred Heart Convent and the Minister for Integration, Roderick O’Gorman, to consult the people of the town on plans for the building.
“Basically, the people of Roscrea are being kept in the dark”, Cllr. Lee said.
“Not informing people of their plans has resulted in a backlash from many people, with rumours spreading that a second Direct Provision Centre could be located in the premises. One already exists in Roscrea.
“Services in Roscrea are already under severe pressure. Accessing GP and medical services as well as securing school places are some of the key concerns that local people have raised with me.
“There is also huge anxiety around policing in the town, as the Garda Station is significantly under-resourced and is only open to the public for limited periods during the day. At night, the town is dependent on Gardai being dispatched from Stations in nearby towns some twenty miles away”, Cllr. Lee said.
He told reporter Darren Keegan that local people were “angry with the secrecy around plans” and that they feel “they have a right to know what is happening in their hometown”.
It is thought that Ukrainians will be housed in the centre
“Earlier additions to the population of the town have already resulted in Roscrea people struggling to access vital services. They feel that their town is being taken over without any engagement or consideration for their needs and they have had no opportunity to establish the facts on what is happening, much less voice an opinion,” Clle Lee told the news platform.
He warned: “This lack of information and consultation is resulting in frustration. People feel that the owner and the Minister also need to hear the views of the Gardai, local Doctors, schools and transport providers as their services are critical to further expanding the population of the town.”
“If these critical services can not be provided the result will be a catastrophe,” he said.
Jackie Cahill acknowledged local frustrations on Tipp FM.
“I think you would have to go back to the Government department and actually in the briefing I got from the Minister yesterday he recognised that this is an issue. He said we are so busy trying to get accommodation and getting resources for the refugees and making sure that the local communities aren’t impacted we are forgetting about the PR with local communities and I think you know that has to be done.”
The Department of Integration has been contacted for comment.