Community meet to discuss provision of accommodation for refugee families in Moynalvey

The former Dorey's Forge pub in Moynalvey is to provide temporary emergency accommodation to international protection applicants from next week in a deal struck between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the current owner of the property.

Now going by the name 'Collegelands Forge', the property was known as the Shanks Mare pub in latter years but closed as a pub several years ago and was since sold.

The property is in a rural location close to Moynalvey village and about 5km from Summerhill.

It emerged last week that the owner of the property, Collegelands Forge Limited, has signed a year-long contract with the Department of Integration to provide temporary emergency accommodation international protection applicant families in the form of five own-entrance apartments.

There has been some concern locally about the lack of consultation and also over the suitability of the location as an accommodation centre given its rural location, and lack of public transport and other amenities.

A community meeting is due to take place in Moynalvey GFC at 7pm tonight (Tuesday) to discuss the proposal.

In a circular issued to local councillors, the Department of Integration confirmed that from 12th February, accommodation will be provided for people seeking refuge in Ireland who are International Protection Applicants at Collegelands Forge, Collegeland, Summerhill.

The circular states that all statutory requirements relating to the establishment and management of emergency accommodation are being met by the service provider, including health and safety, fire, building regulations and other requirements and that the Department of Integration will manage the arrival of people into the centre.

While the letter to councillors stated that 29 people would be accommodated in 12 rooms, it’s now understood that the accommodation to be provided is five apartments.

Collegelands has five self contained and own-entrance apartments with 2.4 bedrooms per apartment.

It’s understood that the accommodation offered is only for families and that the contract does not allow single adult males as the Collegelands property is only suitable for the family set up.

According to Dept of Integration, residents will be provided with cutlery and crockery and will receive food vouchers weekly. Toiletries and other essentials will be provided. There will also be high speed fibre Wi-Fi and fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment and security cameras are fitted throughout the common walking areas.

The property is owned by operated by Collegelands Forge Limited with a member of staff to be on-site 24 hours a day.

According to the DoI, the facility is to be staffed 24/7 with two staff on site during normal hours and one security guard at night. All other services will be on call.

The circular confirms that a valid fire cert is in place and has been provided.

In relation to eligibility to work, applicants may work from six months after their arrival in Ireland. Most of the residents of Collegelands Forge will be new arrivals.

Regarding healthcare, it states that IPAS works closely with the HSE and that international applicants access health services through mainstream services, primary, GP and emergency services. Residents will be entitled to a medical card, IPAS will advise their HSE liaison in advance of residents being accommodated.

Meath Co Council has confirmed that the Council's Integration Team will provide support and guidance to the residents.

In a statement, the Council said: “Meath County Council has been advised by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth that from February 12, 2024, accommodation will be provided for families of international protection applicants in Collegelands Forge, Collegeland, Summerhill. Representatives from the council’s Integration Team will provide support and guidance on services such as healthcare queries, English language classes, community activities, education and training, and employment/volunteering opportunities.”

Collegelands Forge is one of over 190 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties.

At present the State is providing 26,745 asylum seekers with state sourced accommodation and support services. In addition to that since February 2022, accommodation is also being provided to almost 75,000 people who have fled the war in Ukraine.

In terms of planning history in recent years at the site, Collegelands Forge Limited was granted planning permission in 2020 for the retention of the partly-complete works for the conversion of the upper ground level of 'Shanks Mare' Public house from a public house to four apartments for tourist accommodation (rental) purposes and also for the completion of the conversion of the upper ground floor to living accommodation, comprising of two two-bedroom apartments and two one-bedroom apartments, along with the use of these units for tourist rental purposes.

A further planning application was lodged in May 2022 to erect four detached pods of 51.5sqm each with two bedrooms, a combined kitchen/dining area and bathroom. However, it is understood that these pods have not yet been erected at the site.

Local politicians have been reacting to the news. Cllr Aisling Dempsey said it was concerning that there was a lack of community engagement on this issue, pointing out the county council also had little information on the proposals.

“They are families that will be accommodated, which will alleviate the concerns of people of the area,” she said.

“The accommodation is technically in the Ratoath area, but we have been told there is a transport plan in place to the nearest town, which is probably Summerhill. Independent Cllr Brian Fitzgerald, who represents the Ratoath area and lives about 7km from the proposed site said that local people had not been consulted.

Independent Cllr Trevor Golden said he had sought clarifications as the communication lacked details. There was also no mention of a communication process or plan for the community.

“And we only received 13 days notice and were unaware of any prior communication or works with Meath County Council.”