Answers sought over future of Tuam’s IPAS centre
Business being impacted, claims councillor
A TUAM Councillor has called on the Department of Justice to provide information on when the former Corralea Court Hotel will be returned from an IPAS accommodation centre to a business property.
Asylum seekers seeking international protection first moved into the former Tuam hotel two years ago, at the end of August 2024, and there are currently 103 people living at the property in The Square.
Independent Ireland Cllr Shaun Cunniffe has said that not having a hotel in the centre of Tuam is impacting on business in the town.
“We were told it was for one year and we accepted it on those terms because it was an emergency situation,” said Cllr Cunniffe.
“As a Municipal District, we have a duty to businesses in the town and footfall in the town. It’s in the best location in town and the best business location in town. It’s taken a lot of energy and business from the town. It’s not fair on ratepayers.
“I’m calling for the Department of Justice to let us know when the building will be returned to a normal business of commerce. It should be set up elsewhere rather than the best business location in the town. If there’s another place or proposal identified as an accommodation centre, then we can look at it,” remarked Cllr Cunniffe.
The Department of Integration signed a contract with Raeton Ltd, the operators of the Corralea Court Hotel, in 2024 to allow it to be used an IPAS accommodation centre. The management of such services now falls under the remit of the Department of Justice.
When contacted by The Tuam Herald regarding how long the contract is due to last, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice replied that, “The Corralea Court Hotel continues to have a contract in place with the Department to accommodate people seeking international protection. The capacity of the Corralea Court is for 103 people.”
Cllr Cunniffe also said that an independent review of the Tuam centre is required, in order to determine matters such as living conditions.
“I’m particularly calling for an external report to be done so that we can be happy that everything is in good working order in there,” said Cllr Cunniffe.
“The Department do their own inspections. HIQA haven’t done any inspection in there and neither has the IPAS inspectorate team.”
“It’s very hard to get a reply from the Department. They won’t engage. It’s so disrespectful to the town and the Municipal District that they won’t engage properly. We [Tuam MD Councillors] all wanted an external report done, we all asked for it, and Michael Owens (Director of Services for the Tuam MD) submitted a request asking for one last December.”
Galway Rural Development (GRD) assist residents of the Tuam centre with employment and education services.
Steve Dolan, the CEO of GRD, has said young children and their parents living in the property are supported through the Home from Home Transition Programme.
“This is a weekly home visiting programme that provides an integrated plan of intervention and support for families with children aged 16 months onwards,” said Dolan, who spoke with Anne Cassidy (SICAP team leader) and James Applegate (ParentChild+ team leader) when responding to The Tuam Herald.
“As many of these kinds of supports as possible are provided, but there can be challenges here as – by the nature of the residency in these centres – there can be a turnover among some of the residents themselves.
“While they do link in with supports, they aren't always resident for extended periods of time. I don't think the state agencies get all the credit they deserve here. There were some issues regarding access to GPs from what we understand, but these would be beyond our remit.”