Latest news with #DepartmentofIntegration
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
‘Value for money' cited as reason to evict Ukrainians from accommodation
The Department of Justice has cited 'value for money' among its motivations to evict 123 Ukrainians from a temporary accommodation centre in Millstreet, Co Cork. Residents of the Green Glens Arena were devastated to learn that they will have to leave their homes by August 29. The news was outlined in a letter sent to the residents by the Department of Justice. Their decision sparked a campaign by Fiona Corcoran, from Cork charity the Greater Chernobyl Cause, to halt the eviction. Residents were told by the Department of Justice that a letter will be sent with locations of their new accommodation, but they are unsure of when this will arrive or if they will be relocated in Cork. The Department of Justice issued a statement shedding light on its decision: 'As part of the response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis of the war in Ukraine, the Department of Integration, at the time, contracted for a variety of different commercial properties,' a representative for the department said. 'All accommodation contracted by the department is temporary in nature, and Ukrainian citizens are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.' Decrease in demand for accommodation for Ukrainian citizens 'As the demand for accommodation for Ukrainian citizens decreases, and they make their own independent arrangements for accommodation, the department is carrying vacancies in commercial contracts. 'As a result, the department ends contracts on a regular basis in order to ensure value for money and greater oversight of the portfolio. 'This means that a number of Ukrainian citizens who are in State-supported accommodation are being moved to other accommodation.' The department representative added that they need to make the 'best possible use of state funds'. 'Any Ukrainian citizen resident in a property affected will be offered alternative emergency accommodation at a different site if they still require it. 'We need to provide the best we can for all those who come to Ireland fleeing war or oppression in Ukraine and other countries, while balancing this with the requirement to make best possible use of State funds.' The department reiterated its intentions, adding 'the Ukrainian residents at Green Glens Arena, Co Cork', will be relocated by August 29. The department has sent updates, through the accommodation providers, to the residents who will be affected, to let them know that the contract is ending with that provider. Fiona Corcoran, from the Greater Chernobyl Cause, said the charity is committed to preventing this. 'These residents are not just passive recipients of aid. They are working, attending school, and actively striving to rebuild their lives,' Ms Corcoran said. 'Many of them are seeking housing in the local area, but this is made increasingly difficult by the severe shortage of rental accommodations.'
RTÉ News
20-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
What do State spending figures on refugee and asylum accommodation tell us?
The State spent more than €401 million on accommodation for International Protection applicants and Ukrainian refugees in the first three months of this year. That's according to new figures released by the former Department of Integration detailing its spending for the first quarter of 2025. It's an eye-watering amount of money but it is down on last year's quarterly spends on such accommodation, which ranged from €424m to €490m. Paying for private sector accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers made up 97% of the Department's purchase order spends of €20,000 or more detailed in the report. While hundreds of providers are in receipt of Government payments, 91 were paid more than €1m in the first quarter of this year, and together the top five brought in €52.5m. The Government has said it wants to move away from its reliance on the private and commercial sector when it comes to accommodating refugees and asylum seekers. To this end, the Minister for Justice announced this week that the Cabinet had signed off on his plan to buy Citywest, a campus that has been central to its International Protection and Ukrainian refugee accommodation provision over the last number of years. Jim O'Callaghan announced that the State would buy the hotel and convention centre for the sum of €148.2m, describing it as "value for money". Cape Wrath Hotel Unlimited operates Citywest and over the last couple of years it was the State's top earner when it came to these accommodation contracts. Last year it secured €70.86m in accommodation payments from the State, and it was at the top of the table once more in the first quarter of this year, getting paid €18.7m - almost double what the next best paid accommodation provider received. Mr O'Callaghan said that "purchasing Citywest makes prudent financial sense for the State compared to costs of leasing the site" however it appears that there will still be some invoices forthcoming even after the sale. According to the Department of Justice there will be a "a transition plan with the current service provider for a period of 12 months to ensure there is no disruption to the accommodation services at the site." A statement added that "the service provider will continue to oversee the management and provision of services including catering, cleaning, maintenance and security, resident check-in, operational support, finance and other services." The Department of Integration's quarterly purchase order report sheds some light on the current spend on additional Citywest expenses paid in January, February and March this year, including over €709,000 on security and €580,000 on meals. In total, in the first quarter of this year the State spent over €267m on accommodation and related costs for International Protection applicants and almost €133m for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Separately the Department also spent almost €1.7m on modular accommodation for International Protection applicants in the first quarter of 2025. These figures are all inclusive of VAT. After Citywest operator Cape Wrath Hotel Unlimited, Mosney Holidays PLC, was the next best paid accommodation provider in the first three months of 2025. It was paid €9.7m for providing international protection accommodation at the former holiday resort in Co Meath. The third highest paid provider was Holiday Inn Dublin Airport, which was paid €8.5m. Over January, February and March, the report shows Travelodge Hotels, operated by Smorgs ROI Management Limited, were paid over €8m. However, in this period there were also payments amounting to €3.6m made directly to Tifco Ltd which runs Travelodge Hotels among others, and of almost €1.85m made to Pumkinspice Ltd, which also operates a Travelodge Hotel in Dublin City Centre. Rounding out the top five earners in the first quarter of 2025, East Coast Catering, which owns a number of hotels, was paid almost €7.5m. Last year saw a record number of people seeking Protection in Ireland, 18,561. However fewer asylum seekers are doing so this year. Last year 9,199 people had sought asylum in Ireland by 31 May, compared to 5,037 in the same period this year. But there's no denying that there a real demand for accommodation for asylum seekers. As of the 4 May this year there were 32,934 people, including 9,442 children, living in International Protection accommodation. For more than two years now most male asylum seekers who seek international protection in Ireland are not offered accommodation on arrival, with the Government citing an ongoing accommodation shortage. As of Monday, the Department of Justice said there were 2,987 asylum seekers awaiting an offer of accommodation by the State. Meanwhile, the number of Ukrainian refugees in State provided accommodation is down significantly from its peak of almost 60,000 at the end of 2023. Since then, the State has limited free accommodation provision for new arrivals to three months and has cut supports for those in hotel style accommodation. As of 1 June, there were 23,599 Ukrainian refugees in State provided accommodation.
Irish Independent
15-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Kerry gardaí investigate alleged security breach at Ballymullen Barracks
The incident was reported on June 8 at approximately 12 noon. Ballymullen is home to around 50 International Protection Applicants (IPAS) since December 2024. The Kerryman understands the individual started recording while walking across the main yard of the barracks and through to the living quarters. Images of a person walking the corridors can be seen while knocking on doors and talking with residents. A security guard then instructs the person to leave the premises as Ballymullen Barracks is private property. The incident was reported to the guards who say its investigations are ongoing. The Department of Integration has since publicly stated it takes the safety of IPAS residents seriously.
Irish Independent
15-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Kerry gardaí investigate Ballymullen Barracks incident
The incident was reported on June 8 at approximately 12 noon. Ballymullen is home to around 50 International Protection Applicants (IPAS) since December 2024. The Kerryman understands the individual started recording while walking across the main yard of the barracks and through to the living quarters. Images of a person walking the corridors can be seen while knocking on doors and talking with residents. A security guard then instructs the person to leave the premises as Ballymullen Barracks is private property. The incident was reported to the guards who say its investigations are ongoing. The Department of Integration has since publicly stated it takes the safety of IPAS residents seriously.
RTÉ News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Man who abused builders at Co Wicklow site convicted and fined
A 36-year-old man who abused builders and ordered them to leave a disused hotel they were renovating in Co Wicklow last year has been convicted of a criminal offence and fined in court in Arklow. Philip Lifely from Rednagh Hill, Aughrim, Co Wicklow was found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Lawlor's Hotel car park in Aughrim on 29 April last year. A crowd of protesters had gathered at the hotel that day apparently in the mistaken belief it was being renovated to accommodate people seeking asylum. The Department of Integration confirmed at the time that the building was not being used for international protection applicants, but Lifely threatened and abused the builder and ordered him to leave the site. Footage uploaded on social media which was played in court and remains online, shows Philip Lifely telling the builder to "get the f**k out, end of". Lifely then asks the crowd if "anyone else agree with that?" "Should they get the f**k out?" "We're not here to f**king talk to them, get out, with your f**king crew," he shouts at the builder. "Get the f**k out, in the van, get out, now." The crowd then starts clapping and shouting "out out out" before Lifely shouts again at the builder "go on, get the f**k, what are you standing there for, want me to pack your tools up, do you?" The builder stands there looking down without replying and Lifely then shouts at him: "I'm giving you an hour, get the f**k out or I'll pack your f**king tools up." "We're not talking anymore, that's it, we're fed up, fed up," he also shouts. Gardaí in Wicklow commenced a criminal investigation and Lifely was arrested four days later and subsequently charged with an offence under Section 6 of the Public Order Act. He was convicted at Arklow District Court and Judge David Kennedy today fined him €750. The Ireland First candidate Darren Mc Govern, who failed to get elected to Wexford County Council last year, is also seen in the video last year telling the builder "you can understand the frustration of the people, and it's warranted, it is warranted". Mr Mc Govern announces to applause that the builder has agreed to pull his team off site within an hour and tells everybody to remain "to give him the opportunity" to leave. He did not commit any criminal offence. The Government has condemned attacks on and the intimidation of workers.
