Refugees in Borrisokane 'no longer entitled to State-provided accommodation'

Locals rallying to stop families from being evicted

Local Labour TD Alan Kelly said the situation was 'unique', in that residents of the town were fighting to keep international protection applicants. File picture: Dan Linehan

The Department of Integration says it understands the eviction of around 30 immigrants from an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre is "challenging", but that they are no longer entitled to State accommodation.

Around 30 people across seven families in Borrisokane, Co Tipperary, are due to leave the Riverside centre tomorrow, with all having been granted leave to remain in the State at least two years ago. 

That has prompted protests from locals in the north Tipperary town, with local Labour TD Alan Kelly saying residents of the centre have "fully integrated" into the community. 

He said that the situation was "unique", in that residents of the town were fighting to keep international protection applicants.

Mr Kelly hit out at the idea that those who cannot find accommodation in the town would be moved to Birr in Co Offaly, over 20km away.

The fact that these families, who have status to stay in Ireland are now being evicted on this Thursday is a scandal. That cannot be allowed happen. 

"They have fully integrated into Borrisokane and the agreement that they could stay on HAP [Housing Asssitant Payment] which was agreed with the liaison committee in 2019 should be honoured. 

"It is also ridiculous that the Government are proposing to move the residents from Borrisokane to another centre in Birr. What’s the point?"

However, a spokesperson for the department said that while there is a recognition that moving people is a difficult situation, all have leave to remain in the country and, as such, are no longer entitled to State-provided accommodation.

They added that when the Riverside accommodation centre opened at the end of 2019, some 7,683 people were accommodated in IPAS accommodation and there are now more than 31,000 people in State-provided accommodation with more than 2,000 single men awaiting an offer of IPAS accommodation. 

They said IPAS "continues to accommodate those with status, until such time that they progress into the community, including these residents who have been offered a transfer to emergency accommodation".

"The residents who have been offered this transfer will have a form of status of at least two years in July 2024. 

"Each family was notified in writing of this in February and March 2024. 

"They were met in the centre in June 2023 and again in March 2024 and advised that a transfer to emergency accommodation was under consideration. 

"IPAS has a specific transition team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and local authorities to support residents with status to exit IPAS accommodation and access other housing options.

"Those with status have the same housing entitlements as Irish citizens and are supported to register with a local authority and, if required, to avail of the Housing Assistance Payment to secure alternative accommodation."