Tag Archives: Clare refugee accommodation

The head of Clare’s largest tourism network says that tourism businesses in North Clare are facing closure in the months ahead as a result of a perfect storm of factors including increasing rates, VAT and payroll, as well as a lack of tourist accommodation. Chair of the Burren Ecotourism Network, George Quinn, has written to Taoiseach Simon Harris (FG) requesting urgent compensation be paid to businesses which he says are struggling as a result of a series of Government decision. Speaking at the AGM of the Burren Ecotourism Network, Mr Quinn said that the lights are going out on businesses all along the Wild Atlantic Way, with North Clare particularly badly hit. He highlighted the lack of available tourism accommodation as a key factor, with high profile tourist accommodation in Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan and Kinvara now being used to house refugees from the war in Ukraine. Mr Quinn, who is the landlord of L’arco Restaurant in Ballyvaughan, says he is not …

FOLLOWING last Saturday’s meeting in the Town Park 22 people came forward for the formation of a committee to represent concerns in the community about the development of Unit 153 in the Shannon Busines Park as a centre for emergency accommodation. “We’re going to have a meeting, look at what people want. I think we’ll want to look at meeting with public representatives, look at getting answers with regard to the plans, what services and amenities will be put in place for the community with the backdrop of a proposal to use a significant sized building,” said Elaine Kingston Durbin, one of the organisers of Saturday’s meeting. She said there is a belief that several hundred refugees will be housed there, but it’s still unconfirmed. “This is a 137,000 square foot building, it’s not small. If they were going to bring in a smaller amount of people they would bring in a smaller building. “Based on other buildings around the …

ANGELA Coll attended last Saturday afternoon’s meeting in Shannon Town Park and has subsequently become involved in running a Facebook page entitled Shannon Fáilte, which favours using the Shannon Free Zone property as emergency accommodation. While favouring more refugees being housed in Shannon, she said the approach being taken by the State is flawed. “I’m a member of Fianna Fáil and I’m not happy with the Government, they are not communicating with the people of Shannon, Cathal Crowe knows nothing, the councillors know nothing. And that’s very bad form. “But at the same time these are people who desperately require some form of accommodation. They’re kitting out a factory for them, it’s less than ideal, but it’s better than having people sleeping on the streets. That’s how we would be looking at it. “We should be working with the Council to try and get as much facilities in place and as much support as possible for both the community and …