*What was formerly The Rowan Tree Hostel has reopened as an accommodation provider for refugees. 

NEW CONTRACTS are to be offered to existing accommodation providers in Clare housing refugees.

The Clare Echo understands that an approximate 35 percent of bed nights in the county will remain unavailable to tourists if all current contracts are renewed. The existing contracts are due to expire in March.

Last August, The Clare Echo reported how seven accommodation providers in the county signed Government contracts with a cumulative estimated value of €6.36m to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in details released by the Department of Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Lisdoonvarna based firm, The Hydro Hotel Ltd which operates the Hydro Hotel entered a contract worth €1.53m with the Dept. Another hotel firm, Windward Management Ltd operating the Park Inn hotel entered a contract worth €955,000 while a third firm, Atlantic Hotel Management Ltd operating Lahinch Lodge entered a contract worth €329,400 to house Ukrainian refugees.

Figures also showed that Kilkee Town Ltd operating the Kilkee Bay Hotel entered a contract worth €1.52m while the Cliffs of Moher Hotel Ltd which operates the Cliffs of Moher hotel entered a contract worth €150,150. The Department entered contracts with two Ennis based hotel businesses for the second quarter of the year, the firm that operates the Auburn Lodge Hotel entered a contract of €1.523m while the operator of Hotel Woodstock, Tulipbay Bay entered a contract worth €354,900.

Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) in a parliamentary question to Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman (GP) asked “if he will be renewing contracts with Clare hotels for accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection and applicants for international protection beyond April 2023 and if he will make a statement on the matter”.

Minister O’Gorman stated in response, “New contracts, with existing or additional suppliers, are commercial decisions made on the basis of scale and suitability in the context of the number of refugees and applicants for international protection that we need to accommodate and the budget available”.

He added, “Demand for accommodation is strong at present and we are offering new contracts to many existing suppliers. It is not possible however to comment on what the situation may be in relation to individual contracts in the future”.

Related News

clare rd cycle scheme 1
Council u-turn over systems crash sees public consultation extended for Ennis transport plan
Pan Am Shannon 2
First Pan Am branded jet departs Shannon Airport in over three decades
tuamgraney cocaine 1
€210k worth of cocaine seized in Tuamgraney
charge sheet 1
Ennistymon farmer tears up charge sheet in front of Garda where he is accused of year long harassment of neighbour

Advertisement

Latest News
tuamgraney cocaine 1
€210k worth of cocaine seized in Tuamgraney
charge sheet 1
Ennistymon farmer tears up charge sheet in front of Garda where he is accused of year long harassment of neighbour
monaghan v clare 29-06-25 roisin considine jennifer duffy 1
Monaghan make their mark & send Clare out of ladies football championship
ennis hospital sign 1
HSE apply to build new haematolgy & pathology lab at Ennis Hospital
éire óg v doora barefield 29-06-25 cusack cup 1
Éire Óg win Cusack Cup for second time with dominant extra time display
Premium
waterford v clare minor 28-06-25 liam murphy gearoid o'shea james o'donnell 1
Déise deserving winners over Clare in All-Ireland minor final
tipperary v clare camogie 28-06-25 niamh costigan roisin begley 1
Tipp thump Clare but Carmody's charges still have All-Ireland quarter-final to look forward to
laurel lodge 07-11-23 3
Laurel Lodge resident further remanded in custody for alleged assault of retired judge
clare v tipperary minor 05-04-25 derek morris podge collins 1
Podge 'always honoured' to be involved with beloved Banner
kilrush v st breckans 27-06-25 1
Kilrush Shams reign supreme over St Breckans to win Garry Cup for third time

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement