Many hotels across Ireland, once central to community life for events like weddings and funerals, continue to serve as accommodation centers for refugees and international protection applicants. This ongoing arrangement prevents their use for local community functions, causing frustration and impacting the social fabric of these areas. The situation persists despite commitments from the government to reduce reliance on private providers for such accommodations.
Figures released recently indicate that numerous former hotels are still receiving substantial payments for housing refugees. This practice has led to the loss of these venues as community hubs. For example, locals in Roscrea, County Tipperary, are reportedly forced to travel to other counties for events such as funeral dinners, confirmations, and communions because their local hotel, the Racket Hall Hotel, is occupied with emergency accommodation. The Dundrum House Hotel in County Tipperary is also among those being utilized for this purpose.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan had previously sought details on when and how increased incentives would be advertised to encourage a shift away from private providers, according to internal department documents. However, the continued use of hotels for refugee accommodation suggests that alternative solutions have not yet fully materialized to replace these venues for their original community roles. The reliance on private hotel providers for housing international protection applicants remains a point of concern for local communities and policymakers alike.