Department ‘not examining’ Ballina site for IPAS centre
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has reiterated its stance that it is not "currently" considering the former site of a Ballina secondary school to accommodate international protection applicants – despite a recent planning application paving the way for this to happen.
A Section 5 declaration was made to Mayo County Council in November by the applicant, CH Care, for the use of the former St Mary's Secondary School at Convent Hill in Ballina as temporary accommodation for displaced persons seeking international protection.
A Section 5 declaration means the applicant is stating that the property in question is exempt from requiring planning permission. The planning file on the council’s website states that the development is exempt from requiring planning permission and a letter was issued on November 28 to that effect.
The contacted the Department with a number of queries in relation to this development. A Department spokesperson said: “The Department is not currently examining this property for accommodation for people seeking international protection.”
This planning application has no connection to the nearby Sisters of Mercy Convent project, which is a community-led project to rejuvenate the old convent.
