A West Clare B&B has signed a one-year contract to house male International Protection Applicants.
The Central B&B in Kilrush will have capacity for 27 people in 15 rooms varying in size.
The property is owned by David English Electrical Rewinds LTD, and the facility’s management company has previous experience in the provision of IPAS accommodation.
In a briefing document seen by Clare FM, the Department of Integration states that each resident will have their own lockable bedroom and that each shower and toilet will be partitioned for privacy.
The residents will 24-hour access to the building, and there will be a 24/7 security presence along with CCTV.
Most of the residents will be new arrivals and although International Protection Applicants are not permitted to work in Ireland, until they have been here for six months, the Department says “Many who have found work are making a positive contribution to the local and national economies, particularly in areas where there are skills shortages.”
As International Protection Applicants, the residents will be eligible to apply for medical cards, while a “full board service” of three meals will be provided every day on-site in addition to replenished toiletries.
The residents will receive the standard International Protection Applicant allowance of €38.80 per week and will be able avail of English classes through their local Education and Training Board.
At present, 230 buildings across the country are contracted to IPAS, the Department says these options must be considered to prevent the unprecedented number of people arriving from becoming homeless.
Questions and Responses issued by the Department of Integration
1. How many people are intended to be accommodated in The Central B&B, 46 Henry Street, Kilrush, Co. Clare? What will the resident breakdown be at the building?
The capacity is for 27 people in 15 rooms. The accommodation will be for adult male international protection applicants.
2. How long can people expect to stay there?
It is not possible to say with certainty what the length of stay will be having regard
to the number of people applying for international protection arriving in Ireland and
the scarcity of alternative accommodation. A one-year contract has been signed
with the provider.
3. What are the conditions at the site – what are the sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.? What are the catering arrangements for the building?
- The Central B&B is located in the town centre of Kilrush.
- Accommodation consists of 15 bedrooms varying in size.
- There are sufficient numbers of bathrooms at the required ratios.
There will be a Full Board service provided on this site. - Residents will be provided with three meals per day. Each resident will have toiletries replenished weekly and other essentials such as toilet paper replenished as needed.
- The facility will have high speed fibre Wi-Fi.
- Fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment and security cameras fitted throughout the
common walking areas. - 4 Who are the owners and who are operating on site? What experience do they have?
- The property is owned by David English Electrical Rewinds LTD. David English
Electrical Rewinds LTD is operating the site with staff on-site 24 hours a day and
there will be a manager and two security staff on site at all times. - The owner/facilities management company have previous experience in the provision
of accommodation centres for IPAS. - In addition, the Centre Management team in IPAS have developed and rolled out
(as a pilot initially) a training programme for all centre managers to take part in
and this will be offered to the provider.
5. How many staff are on site? Is there a presence there 24/7? What are the security arrangements for the building?
- There will be at least a manager and two security staff members on site each day
to include cleaners attending to any needs 24/7. - There will be security staff present 24/7. There is also CCTV in place.
6. Is the building fire cert in place?
A valid fire cert is in place and has been provided to the Department. All supporting
fire and insurance documentation has been received.
7. How will people be accommodated on site and retain a degree of privacy?
Each resident will have their own lockable bedroom and 24-hour access.Each shower and toilet is appropriately partitioned for privacy.
- 8. How will IP applicants be provided with PPS numbers? Are some of them eligible to work?
PPSNs are provided through the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
International Protection applicants cannot access the labour market for the first six months
that they are in Ireland. - After 5 months, international protection applicants can apply to the Department of Justice for permission to access the labour market and if granted, this
permission will only become valid 6 months after the date of application for international
protection. - Most of the residents will be new arrivals. Many who have found work are
making a positive contribution to the local and national economies, particularly in areas
where there are skills shortages. - 9. What health supports are available to IP Applicants?
The Department’s International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) works closely
with the HSE. - People applying for international protection can access health services
through mainstream services: primary care, GP and emergency services. - Any person applying for international protection who is residing in IPAS accommodation is entitled to apply for a medical card.
- IPAS will advise their HSE liaison of the commencement date of this accommodation centre opening.
- 10. What integration supports are available to provide linkages with the local
community?
IPAS carry out resident clinics at all new and existing accommodation locations. IPAS also
work with a number of NGOs who provide support to residents in the form of clinics, and in addition there is a DCEDIY funded confidential NGO run helpline to assist with any queries a resident may have.
11. What supports are available to provide day-to-day activities to the IP Applicants? - IP applicants may avail of English language classes through their local Education and
Training Board (ETB) An adult resident receives an allowance of €38.80 per week.
Other assistance from the Department of Social Protection, such as bus fares to
attend appointments, is available at the discretion of the local Community Welfare
Officer. - Adults are entitled to work in Ireland after six months. IPAS carries out resident clinics at all new and existing accommodation locations to
communicate with residents. - IPAS works closely with the HSE. International protection applicants are entitled to
access mainstream health services. - IPAS works with a number of Non-Governmental Organisations who provide support
to residents in the form of clinics, and there is a Department of Children, Education,
Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) funded confidential NGO-run helpline to
assist with any queries that residents may have as well as an IPAS Helpdesk manned
by Department officials. - International protection applicant (IPAs) are not entitled to apply for or avail of social
housing or the Housing Assistance Payment while their claim for asylum is being
determined by the International Protection Office (IPO). - If an international protection applicant (IPA) has somewhere else to live in Ireland
such as with a friend, spouse or family member they may do so. If an IPA does not
have somewhere to live and needs to be accommodated by the Irish State, for the
duration of their application for asylum with the International Protection Office
(IPO), they will be accommodated in an International Protection Accommodation
Service (IPAS) centre. - International Protection applicants with permission to access the labour market can
avail of Intreo (the Public Employment Service) supports and services.
Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses are also often focused on directly developing
skills for employment and applicants are provided access will also be provided to
employer networks to make applicants aware of available opportunities and to raise
employer awareness of applicants’ skills and qualifications.
12. Is Clare the only area considered for this type of accommodation, or have other areas in the county/country been examined? How many other centres like this are in operation?
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been over 230
accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties. These options
must be considered to prevent homelessness for the unprecedented numbers of people
arriving seeking international protection.
13. Who should public representatives contact with follow-on queries or concerns?
The Community Engagement Team is working across Government to ensure a more coordinated approach. Queries on this specific location can be directed to
[email protected]
