Department confirms modular development in Ballaghaderreen will not proceed
Cllr Michael Mulligan said people were concerned over plans to move 206 Ukrainian refugees to Ballaghaderreen. He insisted that services are under pressure and hundreds of Syrian refugees were accommodated in the EROC centre, which was the old Abbeyfield Hotel in recent years.
The Department of Integration has officially confirmed that 47 modular housing units proposed for a Ballaghaderreen site to cater for over 200 people “will not proceed”.
A spokesperson for the department stated that an expression of interest was received by them for the modular development at a site in the Little Oaks area, through the DCEDIY Modular Programme.
The spokesperson said, “Having engaged with the local authority, the decision was made to not proceed further as it did not meet the criteria. This has been communicated to the provider."
Hundreds of refugees have been accommodated at the old Abbeyfield Hotel in the town since 2017.
Local Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane and local Councillor Michael Mulligan had previously said they did not believe it was a suitable location and the town had not received promised additional resources.
Hundreds of local people also attended a public meeting to discuss the proposed relocation of the refugees and hundreds of submissions were sent to Roscommon County Council.
More than two weeks ago Deputy Kerrane said she understood that the planned development would not happen, however, there was no official confirmation from the department at that time.
“It is my understanding that the Department will write to Roscommon County Council to advise modular housing in Ballaghaderreen will not proceed.
“Thank you to everyone who joined our campaign on signing written submissions to Roscommon County Council," she stated.
“People power has won out. And we’ve also sent a clear message to this Government - Ballaghaderreen has more than done its bit. We want and deserve additional resources and I will continue to pursue this."
