A vacant building in Ballybane is under consideration as a 130-bed accommodation unit for families seeking international protection.

City councillors were told late last week that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) was considering a proposal to establish a centre for international protection applicants at the Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Centre on Castlepark Road.

This comes on foot of a proposal from the owners of the building, submitted to the Department’s International Protection Procurement Services (IPPS), which was flagged to the City Council on Wednesday last.

In a further email to councillors on Monday, it was confirmed that the centre would have a capacity of 130 “and it is proposed to accommodate families”.

A decision on the suitability of the building for this purpose will be made by the Department, and while “observations” were invited from the Council, these related “specifically” to fire certificates and planning.

A Senior Executive Officer in City Hall confirmed to councillors that fire safety and disability access certificates had been approved by the Council.

“I have no other information regarding proposed commencement date or whether an agreement is in place with the owners of the property and the Department,” councillors were told on Monday.
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