THE revelation that a former city centre office block could be set to house up to 340 international protection (IP) applicants has been met with a largely negative response from businesses across the city.
River House on Charlotte’s Quay in the city centre, the former Revenue offices, could house up to 340 IP applicants on a phased basis, if officially signed off on by government.
At the moment, there are no official plans approved to move refugees onto the site, but relevant planning applications have been put in place by the building’s owner.
It is understood that discussions between the property owner and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth are at an early stage, but that over 300 people would be accommodated in the office block if it is deemed suitable after a full assessment and inspections.
A business owner in the area, who wished not to be named, told the Limerick Post that there has been a lack of communication from the government, the building’s owner Tony O’Neill, and a company called Peppard Investments.
The local business owner said that “it’s the unknown that puts fear of God in people”.
In a statement to this newspaper, a spokesman for Peppard Investments confirmed that works were ongoing at River House.
“I can confirm that there are works currently being carried out on behalf of Peppard Investments Ltd,” the spokesman said.
“Due to the commercial sensitivity in relation to the project, it would not be appropriate to comment on the plans for the building at this time.
“We are committed to the delivery of targets agreed with contractors, and mindful of the sensitivity around all aspects of works being carried out in the public domain.”
Planning and communication concerns
Members of Limerick Chamber, comprising many businesses across the Limerick and Mid West region, also raised concerns around the plans.
Seán Golden, Limerick Chamber’s chief economist and director of policy said they had been contacted by a number of members in recent weeks.
“The primary concern is lack of communication from any organisation or department regarding the plans, and the potential that the development might go ahead outside the planning process,” Mr Golden told the Limerick Post.
Calling for information to be shared in a “transparent” nature, Mr Golden said the Chamber has requested a meeting with Mayor John Moran, asking that he facilitate “a meeting between elected representatives and the business community”.
The Limerick Post also understands that a second unit earmarked for refugee accommodation, the former Roadbridge office on the Ballysimon Road, may be used to hold up to 133 people in six ground floor residential units in the former warehouse building, again pending full assessment and inspections.
A spokesman for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth said that “at this time, the Department does not have arrangements in place in relation to these locations”, but the buildings’ owners had submitted the relevant planning applications.
‘Not ideal’
CEO of migrant rights organisation Doras, John Lannon told the Limerick Post that while the proposed centres are “not ideal”, it is important that people don’t blame IP applicants for Ireland’s problems.
Mr Lannon said that if the centres do go ahead, “it is crucial that the people living in them are not scapegoated for the lack of housing, health, and other services in the city”.
“Asylum seekers did not cause the homelessness crisis that leaves many people on the streets, or the problems people have getting GP appointments.”
The Doras CEO said that “refugees and asylum seekers do not put anyone at risk, and their main interest is in getting on with their lives peacefully”.
