Barracks based groups can continue to use their facilities - Troy

All of the groups currently using the facilities in Columb Barracks will be able to continue to do so when refugees and asylum seekers are housed in tents there next month, a government TD has said.

In a statement issued to constituents with concerns about the decision to house 120 refugees and asylum seekers in tents at Columb Barracks, Deputy Robert Troy said that he wished to “ assure community members that all groups currently using the barracks for their clubs, sports, and activities will continue to do so”.

“The refugee accommodation area will be fenced off, and a professional facility management company will operate the site on the behalf of the Department of Integration. Previous similar arrangements have shown us that when the community engages with refugee families, this produces the most positive outcomes for all parties involved. I look forward to facilitating engagement between our new guests at Columb Barracks and those who have already been using the facility, and indeed the people of Mullingar as a whole.”

Deputy Troy also said that Department of Integration intends to use Columb Barracks for refugee accommodation for a “maximum of 12 months” and that in May the tented accommodation for the 120 single men will be replaced by Portakabins that will be used to house 200 family members.

“All individuals who will be housed at Columb Barracks will have registered with the Department of Justice, either through the International Protection Office (as International Protection recipients, or IPs) or under the European Temporary Protection Directive (as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, or BOTPs). While all those at the barracks will be registered, I acknowledge that the time taken to process applications for asylum is well below par, and a greater emphasis and resources must be allocated to ensure a more efficient timeline, so that fair migration standards are upheld,” Deputy Troy said.

Read the statement in full

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about the housing of refugees and asylum seekers at Columb Barracks, Mullingar. I understand that this is a challenging time as an unprecedented number of people come to Ireland seeking our assistance. The level of those in need is unlike anything Ireland has seen before, and I am proud that Ireland has done an unbelievable amount to help people in need and keep pace with our international commitments.

Firstly, I wish to assure community members that all groups currently using the barracks for their clubs, sports, and activities will continue to do so. The refugee accommodation area will be fenced off, and a professional facility management company will operate the site on the behalf of the Department of Integration. Previous similar arrangements have shown us that when the community engages with refugee families, this produces the most positive outcomes for all parties involved. I look forward to facilitating engagement between our new guests at Columb Barracks and those who have already been using the facility, and indeed the people of Mullingar as a whole.

Secondly, I will give a brief overview of the specific plans for Columb Barracks, Mullingar. This is a joint effort of the Department of Integration and the Department of Defence, with the site being used for temporary refugee accommodations. Department of Integration plans state that they intend to use Columb Barracks as refugee accommodations for a maximum of 12 months. Initially, 15 tents are being installed to accommodate a group of 120 single males. These tents will be in place for a limited period of 8 weeks, beginning at the end of February and concluding at the end of April 2023. The goal is that no person will be more than 3 weeks in the tents before moving them to more suitable lodgings. After these tents are in use, the Department of Integration will refocus their efforts on procuring and installing Portakabins designed to accommodate families for medium term stays. Current plans estimate that these Portakabins should be in place and ready for use towards the beginning of May 2023. Portakabins will not be used to house single males. At peak capacity, the Portakabins will house approximately 200 family members total.

All individuals who will be housed at Columb Barracks will have registered with the Department of Justice, either through the International Protection Office (as International Protection recipients, or IPs) or under the European Temporary Protection Directive (as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, or BOTPs). While all those at the barracks will be registered, I acknowledge that the time taken to process applications for asylum is well below par, and a greater emphasis and resources must be allocated to ensure a more efficient timeline, so that fair migration standards are upheld.