Meeting sought over Nenagh refugee plan

Local representatives are demanding a meeting with the Department of Justice over a plan to accommodate 12 Syrian refugee families in Nenagh.

Accommodation has been secured through the Tipperary Refugee Resettlement Programme for around 50 individuals, who have been staying at emergency reception centres at Waterford, Ballaghadereen and Mosney since their arrival from camps in Jordan and Lebanon last November. The refugees were to have arrived in Nenagh last April but their move was delayed over the Covid-19 health crisis.

Lindsay Cleary, Resettlement Worker with Youth Work Ireland Tipperary, delivered a presentation on the inter-agency programme at last week's meeting of Nenagh Municipal District. She spoke of a welcoming response among members of the local community and of several initiatives aimed at helping the new arrivals to integrate successfully.

But councillors were surprised to learn that houses have already been sourced for the Syrian families in Nenagh at a time when there are some 789 applicants on the waiting list for council housing in the district. Cathaoirleach Cllr Séamie Morris (Ind) said it would be very difficult for councillors to tell hard-pressed local people on the list that 12 houses were found for Syrian families "overnight".

"Nenagh is the 'Stranger's Paradise' and these people are in absolute crisis," Cllr Morris said of the refugees. "But they couldn't be coming at a worse time. We have a housing crisis." While he supported the plan, Cllr Morris said those involved would have to be wary of sparking anger among locals in light of the "massive deficit of houses in the town".

Cllr Joe Hannigan (Ind) was involved in the successful integration of asylum seekers in Borrisokane. But he said that situation was different in that private property was secured whereas now council houses are being used.

Cllr Hannigan said those involved in the plan face a "difficult task". Among several questions, he wanted clarity on future plans to accommodate further refugee families in the district.

Cllr Michael O'Meara (Ind) said those involved in the resettlement programme are trying to achieve "the art of the impossible". But he wondered if the Department might agree to accommodate 12 families on the council's housing list in return for accommodating the refugees.

Cllr John Rocky McGrath (Ind) anticipated the reaction from local constituents, some of whom have been awaiting council accommodation for a long time. "What about us?" they would ask. He wanted time taken to ensure the resettlement is a smooth process and not one that would cause further problems.

"I've nothing but sympathy for those craters," Cllr McGrath said of the refugees. "They're in an awful situation and it's not their fault. We need to do something for them."

Cllr Hughie McGrath (Ind) called for openess and transparency at every stage of the process, and for the cathaoirleach to be kept informed. He agreed that councillors could face anger and questions over the situation.

Cllr Fiona Bonfield (Lab) praised the work of the resettlement team but she was also of the view that local people in need of housing would question what is happening.  

Ms Cleary accepted that the situation is challenging and made the point that it is not the fault of anyone on the housing list, or any of the Syrians. The resettlement programme is a Dept of Justice directive and it is happening in every county in Ireland, she said, adding that the arrival of the families would be spread over several months.

Páiric Ryan, Senior Social Worker with the council, said a definite timeline is still awaited from the Department. Houses for the families have already been identified in Nenagh, and councillors and local residents would be informed of these locations but not until two weeks before the families arrive.

Mr Ryan said people are welcome to contact the council to find out more information. He added that the matter of sourcing extra houses would be raised with the Department.

Cllr Morris sought a meeting with representatives from the Department about the situation. "I can't sell this to anybody," he said of the plan. "We should stop this process until we meet the Department."

In support, Cllr Ger Darcy (FG) said the meeting should happen immediately. While he welcomed the programme, Cllr Darcy feared the "rumour machine" in Nenagh and problems that could arise unless clarity is provided.

Mr Ryan said the inter-agency group is aware of the high demand for property in Nenagh and had been careful in its identification of suitable houses. He pointed out that this element of the plan has been in train since the spring.

Earlier in the meeting, Ms Cleary outlined steps taken to raise awareness in the local community of the refugees' arrival. More than 25 queries were received from people in the Nenagh area interested in getting involved in welcoming initiatives. Ms Cleary also spoke of liaising with local schools ahead of the Syrian families' arrival.