*Photograph: Joe Buckley
A UNIT in the Shannon Free Zone will not come into use for housing international protection applicants until 2024 if the building is still used, a Department spokesperson has told The Clare Echo.
Last week, The Clare Echo reported that the Concerned Shannon Residents Group had circulated plans that designs were being prepared for Unit 153 in the Shannon Free Zones so that it could accommodate up to 600 international protection applicants with up to 70 bedrooms on the ground floor.
Responding to queries from The Clare Echo, a spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth detailed that the unit in question was in state ownership with the Office of Public Works and was “being considered for repurposing as an accommodation centre for international protection applicants”.
Engagement is ongoing between the Department and the OPW to develop a proposal to use Unit 153. “For any such property coming into use, inspections are carried out to ensure the general condition of building is up to the standard required and in compliance with fire safety and building control regulations. Sleeping and recreational facilities, sanitation facilities, food service, security and support services for residents will need to be put in place before the building is used,” the spokesperson advised.
No layout has been agreed on as of yet, the spokesperson confirmed. “This Department and the OPW will need to agree on a proposed layout and design for the centre and the OPW will need to ensure condition of the building is in compliance with fire safety and building control regulations. Sleeping, recreational and sanitation facilities, food service, security and support services for residents will need to be put in place before the building is used. Officials in my Department are working with the OPW on the detailed design phase and, once completed, the OPW will submit a request for a Contractor to price the works”.
Available capacity will not be confirmed until the detailed design phase is completed. Provisional estimates as previously reported by The Clare Echo in the region of 300 people are most accurate.
“Given the expected scale of the investment required to deliver the standard required and be compliant with fire safety and building control regulations it is likely that, if the accommodation does come into use, it will not commence until sometime in 2024,” the spokesperson added.
