Department gives update on IPAS centre proposal for Ballina site
A sign placed on the gate outside the former St Mary's Secondary School in Ballina.
The community engagement team with the International Protection and Integration Unit of the Department of Justice has confirmed that the former St Mary’s Secondary School site in Ballina is “no longer under consideration” as an IPAS centre.
In a written correspondence, a spokesperson said an offer had been previously received regarding the McDermott Street property which was rejected.
“The community engagement team can confirm that the Department had previously received an offer of potential accommodation for people seeking international protection at St Mary's Secondary School, McDermott Street, Ballina and the property is no longer under consideration,” It said.
Councillors in the Ballina Municipal District said at their most recent monthly meeting that they will write to the owners of the former St Mary’s Secondary School site to request a meeting regarding ongoing construction works there.
Cllr Marie-Therese Duffy said residents of Convent Hill, which is adjacent to the St Mary’s site, have continuously raised their concerns over ongoing works. She said a sign had been placed on the gate of the former school detailing plans to develop a nursing home but no such planning application had been submitted by the developer to Mayo County Council.
A Section 5 exemption is currently in place for this site for CH Care Ltd, a Dublin-based company, precluding it from requiring planning permission for the provision of temporary accommodation for displaced persons seeking international protection.
