'Dual use' of Drogheda's D Hotel is 'the best solution', says Taoiseach

The D hotel in Drogheda. Picture: Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Government wants the D Hotel in Drogheda, Co Louth, to have “dual use” to accommodate both asylum seekers and tourists.

There has been considerable disquiet in Drogheda at the impending loss of one of the town's main tourism accommodation providers, and concern about the economic impact on the locality. 

It comes as it was revealed that over 2,000 asylum seekers arrived in Ireland in January — double the monthly average of last year — with the Government struggling to find accommodation for many new arrivals. 

Senior figures in Government have expressed some frustration at the decision by Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman to agree to a contract with the owner of the Drogheda hotel following public anger at a similar situation in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, last month. 

Up to 500 people are expected to be housed in the D Hotel from March 5, in a two-year contract with the Department of Integration. 

Speaking in the Dáil, Labour TD Ged Nash said that Drogheda will lose 56% of its tourism hotel beds in March when the hotel starts to house migrants. 

He said the "economic impact of this decision is very real" and will cost €5.4m locally, and there "needs to be a mitigation package". 

Mr Varadkar told the Dáil that “dual use” can be considered for the hotel and said it would be the best solution for the town.

He said full co-operation with the hotel operator was needed and any issues that might arise with child safety and protection had to be addressed. 

The Taoiseach also said there could be possible “additional finance” for community facilities in Drogheda. 

Mr Varadkar said: “It can be done, we think that’s the best solution, we’re not sure the operator will fully cooperate and there may be issues around child protection and so on.” 

Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd told his party leader the move to take the “only remaining functioning hotel” out of service was “arrogant and uncaring".

He said the people of Drogheda are “more than willing to play their part but this is not acceptable, they are losing a resource that is essential".

Officials in the Department of Integration are scrambling to find accommodation for the almost 1000 single male asylum seekers who are sleeping rough on the streets due to a lack of State shelter.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the accommodation search is “hugely challenging” for the Government.

He admitted the Department of Integration is “under a lot of pressure” with the numbers who are seeking asylum in Ireland.

“In January alone, over 2,000 arrived in Ireland — which is double the average of last year, per month,” he said.

So that is significant in itself and that is creating the challenges.” 

 He said the State has supports in place for those who are not initially provided with accommodation, to enable them to secure food and access to other services, but added: “It is very difficult.”

An online meeting was held between Mr O’Gorman and local business representatives on Wednesday, with those who attended describing it as useful.

Trevor Connolly, the CEO of the Drogheda Business Improvement District (BID), told the Irish Examiner that the meeting with Mr O’Gorman had been “constructive”.

“They were open to suggestions. They realise the challenge that has been put on the town with the removal of such a large amount of hospitality,” Mr Connolly said.

It is expected that there will be further engagement with local representatives over dual use of the D Hotel.