Direct provision centre in Tullamore opening in weeks

A new direct provision centre with a capacity for 168 asylum seekers is to open in Tullamore in the coming weeks.

In a statement released yesterday, the Department of Jusitce and Equality confirmed that the former Marian Hostel on High Street has been converted into a new accommodation centre for asylum seekers.

“In line with the new standards for Direct provision being rolled out across the State, this centre will provide ‘independent living’ facilities to residents.

“We want to provide the local community with as much information as possible. A meeting has been arranged between Department officials and local representatives from the Tullamore municipal district in the coming days to discuss what supports will be in place to facilitate the new accommodation centre and its residents. In line with successful models around the country, a ‘Friends of the Centre’ group will be established.

 “The centre will be managed by Bridgestock Care, a service provider with many years’ experience providing services to asylum seekers in Ireland including the recently opened centre in Ennis.

“In the coming weeks, a number of families will move to Tullamore. Applicants will move in on a phased basis and the total capacity is 168 people.

“The new centre will provide residents with ‘independent living’ where they will have their own cooking facilities and an onsite food hall where they can get their groceries. This is in addition to the weekly cash allowance residents receive (€38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children), which they can spend wherever they choose. Applicants can also access a range of State services and supports including healthcare, education, childcare etc, on the same basis as everyone else.”

Local councillor Sean O'Brien says that while he does “not have a problem with assisting refugees as they have been through a horrific experience and need help”, the new direct provision centre has been foisted on the people of Tullamore without an ounce of consultation”.

“The government should have called meetings and explained what was proposed and listened to local concerns. My main concern is that there seems to be plenty of resources for these centres but there is nothing for the hundreds of local people who are looking for a place to stay and a home," states Cllr O' Brien.

"Every day of the week I get calls from people seeking help with housing and they are in a desperate state. I have raised this at every council meeting and only last Tuesday we had a long debate about the urgency of the housing problem. I have a very serious issue with the approach of the council management and the government with regards to providing public housing with a mere handful of houses for local people" continued Cllr O' Brien

"People locally who are homeless are being told to go to centres in Athlone and Longford. I asked last year that the council purchase the Marion Hostel and use it to provide badly needed accommodation for local people but they refused. Questions were asked about Government plans for a Refugee Centre but no answers were given, yet these plans were being being nurtured in the background. I got a call from Minister Flanagan's office today to state that the contract had been signed for this centre in Tullamore. I have to suspect that this announcement was delayed until after the recent election" concluded Cllr O' Brien.

Further information, including an FAQ section on Direct Provision accommodation centres, can be found at the following link https://www.accommodationcentres.ie/.