*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CORLISS HOUSE IN Kilrush is to be used for accommodating international protection applicants.
The Clare Echo has learned that the repurposed office building in the heart of Kilrush is to accommodate 23 people in ten rooms. The facility will be solely for male international protection applicants.
A twelve month contract has been issued to the accommodation provider. The property is owned by David English Electrical Rewinds Ltd. This is the first time that the provider has provided accommodation to IPAS. The Centre Management team in IPAS have developed and rolled out a training programme for all centre managers to take part in and this will be offered to the provider.
In a briefing note issued to Clare’s Oireachtas members on Monday evening, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth outlined that the building “can come into use shortly”.
Staff are to be on site 24 hours a day with a manager and security staff at Corliss House at all times. Each day, there will be four staff members on site including cleaners and the manager.
Located on Frances Street, the office building consists of ten bedrooms of varying size. The centre will be full board and residents will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner, residents will be provided with tea/coffee/snacks/cutlery/crockery.
A valid fire cert is in place and has been provided to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The conditions on the Fire Cert are in the process of being complied with, the Department has stated. All supporting fire and insurance documentation has been received. As part of the granted fire safety certificate no more than 23 residents shall be accommodated in the centre at one time.
Each resident will have toiletries replenished weekly and other essentials such as toilet paper replenished as needed. The facility will have high speed fibre Wi-Fi. Fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment and security cameras are fitted throughout the common walking areas. Each resident will have their own lockable bedroom, access to a common room and front door keys for 24 hour access.Each shower and toilet is appropriately partitioned for privacy.
Applicants to reside in Corliss House will be eligble to work six months after their arrival in Ireland. Most of the residents will be new arrivals. IP applicants may avail of English language classes through the Education Training Board. IPAS carry out resident clinics at all new and existing accommodation locations.
An adult resident receives an allowance of €38.80 per week. Residents also get three meals per day. Other assistance from the Department of Social Protection, such as bus fares to attend appointments, is available at the discretion of the local community welfare officer.
Senator Martin Conway (FG) told The Clare Echo, “I am calling on all state agencies to put the necessary supports in place to support the residents of Corliss House and to engage and work with the community and the various volunteers and community organisations in Kilrush and the wider west Clare community”.
