MOST READ (2024): Bar at Dundrum House Hotel closed as staff vetted over asylum seekers

Back in August of last year, the Government responded to queries from tipperarylive.ie regarding the housing of asylum seekers at Dundrum House Hotel. 

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was asked to confirm that there are 80 International Protection Applicants on site since Tuesday before, but the facility is at capacity with 277 in total on site as there are still Ukrainian reufgees at the location.

In a statement on the Friday, the Department said: “Dundrum House Hotel is now accommodating people seeking International Protection and people who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.”

Basically, people seeking International Protection are asylum seekers and people who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are Ukrainian refugees. 

They added: “Vacancies previously occupied by people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been identified in Dundrum House Hotel, Dundrum Co. Tipperary for use for accommodating IP applicants, and the overall capacity at this property remains the same.

“The need for Dundrum House staff to be appropriately vetted has meant that the bar and other facilities on the site have had to close for a short time. This is temporary, and as soon as staff complete vetting, the services can reopen.

“Our understanding is that the golf course on the site can remain open to members and the site can be accessible to visitors.

“The Department acknowledges that this temporary closure is an inconvenience and a concern for service providers, staff and the local community, and that access to the site for these services was a significant topic in all community meetings and discussions.

“The Department is in regular contact with management and with the Garda National Vetting Bureau and will work with all stakeholders to resolve these matters as quickly as possible.”