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Agreement Reached To House Nearly 100 Refugees In Midlands Town

Friday, 20 October 2023 09:29

By Kamron Clarke X @kamron_clarke

Photo Credit: Google maps

A public meeting is due to be held in relation to the move.

Nearly 100 refugees are due to be housed in a midlands town.

An accommodation provider at Coole Court in Westmeath has been successful in a tender request to house International Protection Applicants.

The Department of Integration says it expects up to 98 refugees will be accommodated, living as family units.

It also says a Community Engagement Team has been established to engage with local representatives where necessary.

A public meeting is being organised by the local "Coole Concerns" group in a bid to get more information about the move, and it says it hopes to have a location confirmed soon.

In a statement to Midlands 103, the Department of Integration says:

"Coole Court was successful in a recent Request for Tender process for accommodation for international protection applicants.

The International Protection Procurement Service are currently contracting with successful tenderers from the panel and once these 2-year contracts execute, the contractors will undertake the identified mobilisation works to deliver their accommodation and services to the National Standards. 

The accommodation will then be brought into use for approximately 98 people, living as family units.

A Community Engagement Team (CET) has been set up to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other stakeholders where relevant and appropriate.

The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with pertinent information required to help with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals."

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