The asylum seekers to be accommodated in the Corralea Court Hotel in Tuam will be families, the Department of Integration has confirmed.

The news that an accommodation centre is to be located in the town has been met with controversy, with a protest involving around 50 people taking place on Sunday evening in opposition to the plans.

This comes after a briefing document was issued to local councillors and TDs last Wednesday, confirming that a deal had been struck with the operators of the Corralea Court, Raeton Ltd, to use the former hotel as to accommodate 103 international protection (IP) applicants.

Based in the Square of the town, the hotel was used as accommodation for Ukrainian refugees until last week when they were moved out after 18 months.

The briefing document outlines that there are 28 rooms in the building, varying in size, which will be used to accommodate the IP applicant families.

Three meals will be provided daily and there will be a manager “and/or security staff on site at all times”.

There will be one operations manager, one supervisor, three receptionists and three housekeepers, with three chefs and three kitchen porters also employed.

One member of maintenance staff will be working on site, while there will be security staff present 24/7.

Caption: Protestors outside the Corralea Court Hotel in Tuam this week. Photo: Jacinta Fahy.

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