Drogheda hotel accommodation loss
Ged Nash argued that converting the D Hotel to family accommodation for IP applicants would strip Drogheda of hotel beds and hurt the local economy. He suggested using local authority buildings for accommodation instead, and Coveney said the idea was helpful.
In one fell swoop last week, Drogheda lost 60% of its hotel beds. The D Hotel will now be used exclusively to accommodate families who are IP applicants. Government policy on accommodation serves neither vulnerable children nor families of the local economy well. The Minister will know that extremists organised a protest in Drogheda on Saturday. Some 300 people attended; 40,000 people from Drogheda did not. I have told the Minister, and he knows this, that this is only about losing tourism beds and there is the evidence. Drogheda is famed for its social solidarity and for its tolerance and that will continue. However, Government policy risks turning fair-minded people hostile. I made two constructive proposals on this issue last week. I said the D Hotel should be put to dual use, that is, tourism and contracted use. There are no child protection issues-----
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-----because we know that Ukrainian families are also hosted in hotels providing accommodation for commercial use as well. Where there is a shortfall in accommodation-----
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-----the local authority should be supported to use taxpayers' money to turn around and repurpose local buildings for accommodation and long-term community gain. Will the Minister accept my proposals?