LIVE: Plans abandoned for new IPAS centre in Tipperary

A premises in Tipperary will not be used as an accommodation centre for international protection applicants it has been announced.

Tipperary Cllr Máirín McGrath recently provided an update to the public on the status of The Abbey House in Cahir, and said that the Department of Integration are no longer considering this property for use for IPAS accommodation following an offer by its new owners.

The Cllr also said that "Tipperary County Council had rejected the Section five exemption for this building a number of weeks ago so the contract couldn't go ahead without proper planning approval.

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"No appeal to this rejection was made by the owners to An Bord Plenala. The only route this property can change use now is to apply for full planning permission.

"If anything further changes in this regard, I will be sure to highlight it."

After contacting the Department of Justice, they have shared the following statement regarding the news.

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"An offer of international protection accommodation was made to the Department in relation to this property, but this is no longer under consideration.

"A variety of factors are used to appraise an offer of a property, such as compliance with planning and building regulations, site suitability, the value for money it offers, and any works required to meet the required standards.

"A significant proportion are not progressed to contract stage, mainly due to the fact they would not comply with planning or other required standards.

"Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.

"The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in over 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country, about 9,428 of whom are children with their families."

The news comes after a controversial contract last month was signed to house over 250 asylum seekers in Dundrum House Hotel worth €20 million.