Mosney centre gave €6,500 to Fianna Fáil

THE Mosney holiday village in Co Meath, run by husband and wife, Phelim and Elizabeth McCloskey, donated €6,500 to Fianna Fáil last year, according to accounts just filed.

The company has a contract with the Department of Justice since 2004 to accommodate asylum seekers, which is worth between €10m and €14m, and this is up for re-negotiation this year.

The agreement is in place until June 2010, according to the Department of Justice.

A department spokesman said the renewal of the contract will be assessed and decided on the basis of Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) accommodation needs when the contract comes to an end.

“Given that RIA is a demand-driven organisation, we are unable to assess our needs beyond short-term,” he said.

The RIA is responsible for co-ordinating the provision of services to asylum seekers and refugees.

According to the accounts Mosney Holiday Village can accommodate 800 residents in houses and apartments. The company made a pre-tax profit of €119,786 in the year to the end of October 2008, down from €157,624 in 2007.

Turnover increased from €8.9 million to €9.2m. Revenue from bar sales increased from €12,420 in 2007 to €16,549 last year.

Staff costs increased slightly from €3.9m to €4m.

“Ongoing upgrading of our houses and apartments continued during the year and this work will continue next year,” the accounts read.

The company employs 87 full-time staff in its accommodation, catering, cleaning, maintenance, security and administration departments.

The former Butlins has been closed to the public since 2000.

Mr McCloskey failed to return a call for comment.