A unit in Kells business park that had been offered as an accommodation centre has been denied permission by Meath County Council for a planning exception.
Aontú Cllr Emer Toibin says.
“In response to a PQ (parliamentary Question) from Aontú, the Minister in charge of Integration, Norma Foley, said that it is her understanding that the premises did not meet the requirements for a planning exemption”.
“This is indeed welcome news, but it is really frustrating as it has caused so much unnecessary concern in the area . It raises so many questions around just why somebody would think that a building in a business park is a suitable place to accommodate displaced people”.
“We are seeing wholly unsuitable premises being offered right across Co. Meath and throughout the country. There’s a certain cynicism in this, as people’s desire to make money, lots of money, really does seem to override any genuine desire to be altruistic”.
“We know that the State paid out €1.43 Billion to accommodate Ukranians and asylum seekers in the first 9 months of 2024 alone. . That is an absolutely staggering figure.. We know that companies are cashing in, literally, and it is largely a money-making exercise for them. This systematic State largesse is having a huge knock on effect on our tourist industry for example and it is increasingly and obviously untenable. One of the most frustrating things is the fact that the previous government purchased 37 properties, yet these are still lying vacant. Even somebody with the most rudimentary grasp of ‘sums’ would know that this is completely unacceptable”.
“I am getting more and more frustrated by the glaring wanton waste and the absolute lack of accountability around this whole issue. We really need to shout stop”
