Government grants €150k for feasibility study on buying disused Roscrea hotel for community use

Funding branded 'stupid' and a 'waste of money' by Tipperary TD Alan Kelly

Protests at Racket Hall, Roscrea, in February.

The Government has made €150,000 available for a study into whether a disused Tipperary hotel should be bought as a community facility.

A commitment was made in principle in January around the purchase of the former Grants Hotel in Roscrea following protests around the conversion of the town's other hotel into accommodation for international protection applicants.

Back in January, Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary Jackie Cahill said he received assurances the hotel would be purchased to cater for the community after locals cited the loss of the town's only hotel as a reason for a protest at Racket Hall.

The protests lasted nearly a week and saw a man arrested after clashes with gardaí. 

However, Labour TD for Tipperary Alan Kelly said a €150,000 funding award for a study into the feasibility of buying the hotel was a waste of money.

'The decision of the Government to try and placate public anger by looking to take over the former Grants Hotel in the town centre is as some form of public-run hotel is even more stupid,' Alan Kelly said.

"The Government decision to take away Racket Hall, the only functioning hotel in Roscrea, earlier this year was stupid, and they have admitted it was wrong. Two wrongs don’t make a right though and the decision of the Government to try and placate public anger by looking to take over the former Grants Hotel in the town centre is as some form of public-run hotel is even more stupid.

The taxpayers of Ireland are not hoteliers. The officials in Government departments think this is ridiculous and dare I say it Fáilte Ireland are bemused by it. Even ministers are privately throwing their eyes up to heaven at the idea.

"What’s worse is they are spending €150,000 of taxpayers money on a feasibility study for this. Now the laughable thing is that the owner of the hotel has it up for sale, so where is the €150,000 going now?" Mr Kelly said.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

A spokesperson for the Department of Rural and Community Development said the funding had been made available to Tipperary County Council, but any sale was a matter for the owner.

“With a view to informing any options, in July of this year, the Department of Rural and Community Development made available funding of up to €150,000 (exc Vat) for Tipperary County Council to carry out a feasibility study as to any potential sustainable future use of the property.

"Tipperary County Council is currently progressing this work with a view to identifying any viable and financially sustainable long-term options that may support the revitalisation of Roscrea and improve the living and working environment for the community and increase the potential to support economic activity into the future.”