Transfer of IPAS families at short notice is 'inhumane'

Local councillors have called for an end to the “awful and inhumane system” whereby people who avail of the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) are suddenly uprooted from areas where they have settled and then moved elsewhere.

There are currently 4,700 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) from Ukraine and over 1,500 IPAS users living in Mayo.

Head of Integration with Mayo County Council Anna Connor presented these figures before last week’s meeting of the Community, Integration and Recreation Strategic Policy Committee (SPC). She said there are 3,838 BOTP living in the community in Mayo with a further 887 living in accommodation centres. Broken down by municipal district, there are 990 living in Castlebar, 764 in Claremorris, 687 in Westport, 669 in Ballina, 375 in Belmullet and 35 in Swinford. Nationally, there are a total of 20,835 BOTP.

Ms Connor said there were 14 IPAS centres operating in Mayo, housing a total of 1,562 residents, 344 who have status to remain and 745 of whom are children. Nationally, there are 32,879 people living in IPAS centres.

She added the council has launched research into childcare to better understand the implications of specific challenges for IPAS and BOTP in terms of accessing childcare facilities and expect a report on that by the next SPC meeting.

Cllr Ger Deere said from his role in Castlebar Tidy Towns, he has seen Ukrainians and IPAS residents integrating well, working hard and wanting to be actively involved in their local community. However, he said the “awful system” of families and individuals being suddenly moved has to come to an end.

“They want to work and be part of our community but when they settle and suddenly have to move, it’s crazy,” he said. "Twenty-five families living locally got notice that they were suddenly to be transferred all around the country, it’s an awful system. Moving them on at short notice is inhumane and no one has ever given a rationale behind it.”

Cllr John O’Malley said if people settle in an area, there should be efforts made to keep them in that area while they are living in Ireland.

“When people get uprooted and moved, it causes awful upset,” he said.

Cllr Patsy O’Brien called on the Government to ensure that there are sufficient services available and that existing services are not stretched as a result of the population increase arising from BOTP and IPAS in Mayo.

Ms Connor said families moving in the IPAS system is something that happens at national level and is outside the control of the council.

Director of Services Joanne Grehan said there is a need to “take control of the narrative” and shine a light on positive stories of integration.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.