In January and again in September of this year, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department published a call for expressions of interest in the national press for premises to meet the increasing demand for accommodation for persons in the protection process (asylum seekers).
This call sought expressions of interest from parties who may be interested in providing accommodation and related services on an urgent and emergency basis. This was issued in response to the urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation and related services from those persons arriving in the state seeking international protection.
Following on-site assessments carried out by staff in the Department, the Shannon Key West Hotel in Roosky was, subject to refurbishment work being completed, deemed to be suitable premises for the needs of the Department. It should be noted that the accommodation centre is for those persons in the protection process and not for those granted asylum.
The Contractor will be required to set up a 'Friends of the Centre' group as recommended by the McMahon report to facilitate linkages between the residents and the local community to encourage integration. In addition, my Department has granted funding in the order of €43,033 to a number of groups in Roscommon and Leitrim under the Communities Integration fund in 2017 and 2018. In addition, a number of national programmes are funded through the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund that focus on integration measures including funding granted to the Football Association of Ireland, the Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland.
With specific regard to both Leitrim and Roscommon County Councils, both local authorities run Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programmes (SICAP). SICAP is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the European Union's European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
My Department will work closely with both local authorities to identify programmes and initiatives to encourage integration measures for the residents of the accommodation centre in Roosky as appropriate.
My Department will also work closely with both the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that the medical and educational needs of the residents in Roosky are addressed.
My Department is committed to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that residents at the new accommodation centre in Roosky will receive the appropriate supports to meet their needs.
