Tag Archives: Minister Roderic O’Gorman

    RESIDENTS from Inch and Kilmaley have vowed to continue a road blockade near a new asylum-seeker centre in their locality. As the peaceful demonstration outside Magowna House enters its fourth day, it looks like protesters are determined to continue manning the approach road to the hotel on a rota basis to try and stop the arrival of more asylum-seekers. Integration Minister Roderick O’Gorman told Clare Oireachtas members on Wednesday he has no plans to close the new controversial asylum-seeker centre near Inch, which has prompted a road blockade from frustrated local residents. During an online meeting with Clare Dáil deputies and senators, Minister O’Gorman said he would not close the centre due to pressures on the government’s reception and integration system. The Minister’s stance has been criticised by householders who feel “let down” by the comments he made to Clare Oireachtas members. A statement on behalf of the protestors was read out at the entrance to Magowna House …

THE lack of transport, a public footpath, recreational and other facilities near a hotel in Inch make it unsuitable to accommodate  asylum-seekers, local residents have claimed. A variety of concerns were raised with Clare County Council officials at a meeting with residents from Inch and Kilmaley on Tuesday morning following the arrival of 34 international protection applicants on Monday night. The refugees were greeted with what locals say was a “peaceful protest” on approach roads leading to Magowna House on Monday night. Residents vented their frustration during the meeting in the council chamber with the Department of Integration over the lack of any consultation with them before the international protection applicants were accommodated in three self-catering cottages. Householders claimed the Magowna House Hotel and complex is not a suitable place for refugees as “there is nothing for them to do” during the day in the absence of any public transport. Council chief executive officer, Pat Dowling pledged the council would …

A GROUP of 25 Clare early education providers swapped the classroom for the streets when they staged a one-day protest in O’Connell Street, Ennis recently. Eilis Wall, who runs a Pre-School in Shannon catering for 30 children, said college graduates with four-year degrees were expected to work in the early years sector for €13.50 per hour. “We only get paid for 38 weeks of the year for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). “Our staff have to sign on for the summer holidays and this year had to wait six weeks to get paid lower than the dole rate. “Under the core funding model, we haven’t got any extra pay. We haven’t received our core funding yet. If I had four graduates, I only get paid for one graduate. “I am renting in a primary school. The school has helped to make it affordable to stay open. We want to be paid like teachers. A Special Needs Assistant starts on …

JOBS for Ukrainian professionals could help to provide support for those fleeing to Ireland and minimise the impact on services, Clare’s Fianna Fáil senator has said.  During a Seanad debate, all three of Clare’s senators commended the efforts made in this county to welcome refugees. Senator Timmy Dooley said that, after speaking to a number of health and education professionals, he believes they have the capacity to support their community.  He said that following his own first-hand experience in Ukraine and Poland, the scale of the crisis has not yet become apparent. “I do not think we have seen anything like the scale of the demand just yet,” he said. “I hope and I have great faith in the Irish people that they will stick with it. Everybody I have met wants to be part of the solution right now. “This will require holding the nerve as numbers increase. We are at 10,000. It is a long way to 100,000 …