Supports needed to house refugees

Citing the developing situation and stand off with the community in Castletara, Fianna Fáil's Aiden Fitzpatrick told the October monthly meeting of Cavan County Council that, when accommodation for asylum seekers or refugees is sought, it is vital that other supports are available.

Cllr Fitzpatrick was reacting to a response he received from the office of the Minister Minister for Integration, Roderic O'Gorman, regarding “necessary services and resources” to help communities to accommodate incoming refugees.

The response said that, to date, more than 92,300 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 69,500 of those have been referred to the Department seeking accommodation from the State.

The letter confirmed that the department “is involved in negotiations with a range of accommodation providers across Ireland, and has received an offer of accommodation from the White Horse Hotel in Cootehill".

It added: 'This offer is being evaluated to determine if it meets the Department's requirements.

Due to the commercial sensitivities involved, it is not possible to provide information on the negotiations with any individual provider.'

Attending the meeting remotely, Cllr Fitzpatrick said it was “very hard to make sense” of the current approach being taken by the Department.

He said that, in cases such as Castletara or Cootehill, it's important to have the support of the community also. Cllr Fitzpatrick further stated that putting people into an area where services are “already under pressure” or non existent is not going to work.