Minister 'happy' to meet Tipperary residents over plan to house refugees in former convent

The Minster with Responsibility for Integration, Roderick O’Gorman, told Deputy Michael Lowry in the Dáil this Tuesday that he was "happy" to arrange a meeting in Roscrea in relation to plans to house 400 Ukrainian refugees in the former Sacred Heart Convent in the town.

"We do our best to engage with communities. We are happy to follow up with you in terms of arranging a meeting with the Roscrea community," said Deputy O'Gorman.

Deputy Lowry had stated that the people of Roscrea have already responded in a kind and generous manner by welcoming hundreds of displaced people into the town.

He said a direct provision centre already existed, local factories and businesses had large numbers of foreign nationals employed and asylum seekers were accommodated in numerous houses around the town.

"As a result, medical services are pushed beyond their limit. The Garda station has been downgraded and has no overnight garda presence. Schools in the town are already beyond capacity," he said.

Deputy Lowry said that moves were now underway to house 400 Ukrainian people in a former convent building.

"Roscrea is already overflowing. Services cannot cope with the increased population. It is the local people of Roscrea who are suffering as a result. The sheer scale and magnitude of this exercise is going to overwhelm services and infrastructure. The size of the proposed resettlement is completely out of ratio with the town’s population," he said.

Deputy Lowry said that both he and local Lowry Team councillor Shane Lee had several discussions with local groups.

"People understand that we have a moral obligation to assist, but they are opposed to such a high influx of people who will have a high dependency on support services that do not exist. Minister, will you confirm that a meeting will be held immediately with local groups and public representatives," said Deputy Lowry.

Minister O’Gorman thanked Deputy Lowry for his ongoing engagement on this matter and said he recognised the significant welcome that Roscrea had given to Ukrainian and international protection applicants.

He said that the former convent building had been refurbished for Ukrainians fleeing the war.

"It is for Ukrainians, primarily family groups. It is to be phased in its use, with some arriving over the summer, some in the latter part of this year and some in 2024.

"I think we will need the capacity over the summer, but further use will depend on our needs in terms of Ukrainians arriving into the country. So we’ll continue to monitor the need for the further use of this facility," said Deputy O'Gorman.