11/02/2025
PROPOSED IPAS CENTRE IN TEMPLESHANNON, ENNISCORTHY...
A proposed IPAS Centre for the Templeshannon area of Enniscorthy is being vehemently opposed by many locals in the area.
IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Service) is responsible for providing accommodation and related services for individuals and families who arrive in Ireland and enter the International Protection ('asylum') process.
To date over 2,000 signatures have been collected and presented to Wexford Co. Council in oppostion to any IPAS Centre being located at the old Mercy Convent in Templeshannon, which has been closed for 15 years. The building is adjacent to the local community centre, creche, church, and almost opposite Coláiste Bríde girls’ secondary school.
A previous plan to develop the building as an office block was rejected by the County Council in 2017 due to, among other things, traffic concerns.
The current situation is that an application was received by Wexford Co. Council on 20th January 2025 from Flodale Group Ltd, the directors of which are Ian and Linda Skeffington, with an adddress in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, effectively seeking confirmation from Wexford Co. Council that Planning Permission is not required to convert the building into an IPAS Centre. The matter is currently being considered by Wexford Co. Council planning department. No decision has been made as yet.
The matter was raised at the Wexford Co. Council meeting on 10th February and in the words of respected local journalist Dan Walsh, “emotions ran high”. Cllr Aidan Browne opposed an IPAS Centre at the site, saying that the property is situated near local schools, is in an area already struggling with traffic congestion, a lack of investment and insufficient local services, noting that there is not even a playground locally. He was supported by Cllr Paddy Kavanagh who lives in the area and was concerned about the possibility of non-vetted, single-male refugees being accommodated there. Cllr Jackser Owens emphasised the need for public consulation, and expressed his support for the local Shannon community.
Such is the level of opposition to any IPAS Centre in the local community that some residents are considering removing their children from the community-centre creche and also out of Coláiste Bríde if the Centre goes ahead.
The online petition opposing an IPAS Centre in Templeshannon can be found here: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/we-the-undersigned-strongly-object-to-the-location