The Minister of State for Integration has assured Inch locals that no additional international protection applicants will be sent to Magowna House Hotel if a mediation process is agreed to.
Minister Joe O’Brien met with the Inch Community Group this afternoon.
In what was his second trip to Clare in the last month, Minister O’Brien met with locals to address ongoing concerns in relation to the housing of 29 male international protection applicants at Magowna House Hotel.
Now three weeks on from the lifting of the blockade which came under the national spotlight, the meeting was agreed to on the basis of discussing concerns held by the Inch Community Group “in terms of transport connection, supports for the men in terms of occupation and job prospects, work permit processing, wi-fi connection and the local communities’ understanding of how Magowna House operates”.
The minister has offered a “structured and agreed mediation process” between community representatives and residents of Magowna and has assured locals that no additional international protection applicants would be housed at the hotel for the duration of the mediation process.
In relation to the employment status of residents, he has confirmed that some have found employment, some have employment lined up and some have agreeed to volunteer with local organisations.
He has also noted that the majority of the residents’ work permit applications are still being processed.
The minister has praised the local organisations who have done “great work” in liaising with the Magowna residents such as the Clare Immigrant Support Centre, Clare Local Development Company, Clare Volunteer Centre and Mid-West Simon.
He says that the Inch Community Group has agreed to respond to the offer of a mediation process by this Sunday.
