SERVICES
During the proceedings of Monaghan County Council’s monthly meeting, on Monday the 8th of April 2024, local councillors, together with senior officials, received a briefing note update, via E-mail, from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth advising that “31 beds will be provided for people seeking refuge in Ireland who are International Protection Applicants in HQ Accommodation, 50 Main Street, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.”
Subsequent to this communique, representatives of Monaghan County Council contacted Department officials to advise that in relation to the proposal at No. 50 Main Street, Carrickmacross, there continues to remain a number of non-compliance issues pertaining to Fire Safety, Building Regulations and Planning, and respective statutory requirements under the Fire Service Act, Building Control Act and Planning Act. In response, the Department confirmed that the proposal to use HQ Accommodation as a temporary emergency accommodation centre has been placed on hold until all concerns are addressed.
The elected members of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District convened a Special meeting of the Municipal District Council on Tuesday the 9th of April 2024, to discuss the wider public concern, and the lack of consultation by Department officials with the elected members prior to the release of the briefing note update on the 8th of April 2024. Arising from this special sitting of the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District Council, the elected members sought an urgent meeting with Minister Roderic O’Gorman, Minister Heather Humphreys, local Oireachtas members, and senior officials from Monaghan County Council. Accordingly, a meeting with local Oireachtas members, including Minister Heather Humphreys, and senior members of the executive took place on Friday the 12th of April 2024.
Arising from that meeting the elected members of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District have issued the following collective statement:
“As locally elected representatives, we are duty-bound to protect the interests, not only of the communities we serve, but also the wellbeing of those joining our communities. It is therefore paramount that we are kept fully informed on developments of this nature and the processes that apply in the selection of properties for use as temporary emergency accommodation centres. As recently as last November, we were advised by council officials that the property concerned was not considered fit for purpose as an emergency accommodation centre. At Friday’s meeting, it was confirmed to us, that in the considered opinion of the officials of Monaghan County Council, the property referred to as HQ Accommodation continues to remain unsuitable as an emergency accommodation centre. Moreover, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has advised that the proposal to use HQ Accommodation as a temporary emergency accommodation centre has now been placed on hold. This apparently contradictory communication from the Department, in the space of less than a week, does little to inspire public confidence and is totally unacceptable.
We are determined to ensure complete transparency in the procedures applied in welcoming international protection applicants into our communities. Fundamental to this, is ensuring that the accommodation provided meets the required standards. Providers of facilities must be held to account, and greater oversight exercised in the selection of prospective properties. Basic humanitarian needs, including fit for purpose accommodation, medical care and education provision must be prioritised in the selection of suitable facilities. Public monies cannot, and must not, be spent on sub-standard facilities. Over the coming week, we the elected members of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District, through the offices of our respective parties, shall be seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Roderic O’Gorman and his department officials to provide answers. The current situation cannot continue.”