Citywest Hotel IPAS Centre Expansion Plans

Rolling update on issues of relevance to local community in Saggart, Citywest, Rathcoole and surrounding areas following news reports that Government may be purchasing at least some of the former Citywest Hotel and Conference Centre site, currently used as an IPAS centre. As of mid-June the Government has not confirmed or denied these reports, but the news has caused concern in terms of local capacity as well as the long-term loss of a valuable community amenity, albeit one that is privately owned. The former golf course of the hotel has already got planning permission as a cemetery.

11th June - Attended the protest outside the Dáil against the planned purchase and calls for consultation and met with a number of the organisers. I believe it’s important for the Government to engage with residents on this issue and not to railroad any plans.

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10th June - Statement issued by the "Community Engagement Team" in the International Protection and Integration | Civil Justice section at the Department of Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

"The Community Engagement Team has received a number of queries regarding the Citywest accommodation centre and we would like to share some information with you to assist you in your work.

"The Citywest complex has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently accommodates over 2,000 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident on the site.The Government is committed to moving away from our reliance on the private sector to provide accommodation for people seeking international protection

" In line with the Programme for Government, the intention is to develop more accommodation on State-owned lands. As part of this strategy, consideration is being given to the purchase of suitable properties for use as state-owned facilities.Steps are also being taken to speed up the international protection application process, and this reform should help curtail the need for constant growth in the accommodation system. 

"For commercial sensitivity reasons the Department is not in a position to comment on the specifics of any particular possible purchase at this time.  If a Government decision is made to purchase any property, we’d like to assure you that this will be supported by full engagement with community and stakeholders in the relevant area, through our team."

Paul says: This suggests that a purchase of this location is still very much under consideration, although not necessarily decided upon. There is also the question as to whether the Government is intending to try and purchase the entire site or just the section currently used as accommodation. A wider purchase would at least indicate a commitment to protecting and possibly enhancing community amenities, but very few people think this is likely to be the case. So questions remain and in the first instance I will be supporting calls for a meeting between resident groups and the Minister for Justice. It is also the case that engagement is only valuable if it is had BEFORE any purchase to reach a consensus rather than a meeting to tell people what the plan is after the event.

I've been informed there is a protest outside the Dáil tomorrow Wednesday and I hope to speak with some of the residents from Saggart if I can.

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5th June - Meeting held with Saggart Village Residents Association and local TDs

I was one of three of the five invited TDs in attendance; two others sent apologies.

SVRA gave a presentation and the excerpts below are from its FB page:

A discussion was held and TDs agreed to try and facilitate a meeting with the Minister and raise any related matters. I highlighted the initial responses to my Dáil questions and said I would follow up in whatever way possible.

At this stage the focus is on finding out what the Government's plans are. The future use of Citywest is very much dependent on what the current owners do with it and no doubt it is profitable to continue renting it pending getting all the lands rezoned for housing. So if nothing happens, the rental would likely be continued for use as IPAS centre. But as I mentioned below, there is logic from the Government perspective to try and purchase the site. No intent to purchase has been made public, except newspaper speculation. However if the Government did indicate an intent to purchase there are further questions in terms of whether this would be to save money on rental costs only or to expand the use of the facility. For example, would the Government be willing in such a scenario to enhance the facilities and amenities available to the local community? I gather there is a lot of distrust about such a scenario and fears that a purchase would make it a permanent long-term centre.

Some individuals do not want to see the purchase go ahead because of this whereas others are equally concerned about the future expansion of the site and the preservation and growth of amenities for Saggart residents. And to be clear, the current owners will not be prioritising community need over commercial considerations one way or another. Is there an agreed community approach that could put maximum pressure on the Government to achieve an enhanced result for all?

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3rd June 2025 - Dáil questions submitted and replies received last week (my comments at end)

Paul Gogarty written questions of 22nd May answered 28th May

295. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice to provide full information on its reported plans to purchase a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27784/25]

296. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice to outline the current number of residents at a facility (details supplied); to outline the maximum capacity that could be located here if the complex was to be purchased by the Department or agencies; to indicate the average number of individuals to a room in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27785/25]

297. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice the supports in place to ensure proper integration and community safety in relation to a facility (details supplied); the way in which these could be enhanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27786/25]

298. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice the measures in place to alleviate the strain on local services in an area and the additional services that will be provided should the State purchase the complex (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27787/25]

Reply from Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 295, 296, 297 and 298 together.

The complex referred to has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently accommodates over 2,000 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident on the site. The Government is committed to moving away from its reliance on the private sector to provide accommodation for people seeking international protection. In line with the Programme for Government and the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS), the intention is to develop more accommodation on State-owned lands. Steps are also being taken to speed up the international protection application process, and this reform should help curtail the need for constant growth in the accommodation system. As part of implementation of the CAS, consideration is being given to the acquisition of suitable properties for use as state-owned facilities.

For commercial sensitivity reasons the Department is not in a position to comment on the specifics of any particular possible purchase.

Should any significant development at a new or existing centre be approved, this would be supported by full engagement with community and stakeholders in the relevant area.

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Paul Gogarty written question of 22nd May and answered individually on 28th May

299. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice if he will commit to a process of improved engagement and information sharing with residents in relation to plans to increase numbers at the IPAS Centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27788/25]

Reply from Minister for Justice

The complex referred to has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently accommodates over 2,000 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident on the site. The Government is committed to moving away from its reliance on the private sector to provide accommodation for people seeking international protection. In line with the Programme for Government and the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS), the intention is to develop more accommodation on State-owned lands. Steps are also being taken to speed up the international protection application process, and this reform should help curtail the need for constant growth in the accommodation system. As part of implementation of the CAS, consideration is being given to the acquisition of suitable properties for use as state-owned facilities.

For commercial sensitivity reasons the Department is not in a position to comment on the specifics of any particular possible purchase.

Should any significant development at a new or existing centre be approved, this would be supported by full engagement with community and stakeholders in the relevant area.

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Paul Gogarty comment on above answers:

These answers are the same irrespective of the questions! Levels of engagement in the past have not always been up to scratch and what is worrying here is that there is no engagement in terms of whether an expansion of the facility is the best interests of the local community in the first place, or indeed the occupants given reports of security issues in the past, claims of overcrowding, of people hanging around with nothing to do and reports of antisocial behaviour involving some residents on social media.

The facility is now also being used as a temporary facility for individuals awaiting deportation. The article cites human rights concerns, which are valid, but also states: "When a person does not comply with a deportation order, they can be arrested and detained in a designated prison. It is understood arrested adult deportees are now being held in the Citywest Transit Hub before being moved to prisons in advance of departure from the State." This does not mean that the individuals being deported are criminals or a danger to anyone (some would be women and children), however there is no breakdown given by those running or funding the system and certainly if there is anyone present who has the capacity to resist or indeed attempt to escape would cause legitimate concern to local residents. This cannot be ignored.

The reports are out there. And while it's not yet clear officially whether there are actually plans to purchase, there is logic to such a purchase from a State perspective like I said which is why engagement needs to had before any sale rather than after any sale.

Now, the State owning the site does not preclude it being once again turned into a conference centre at some stage, but equally if the provision at the site were to be expanded this would not be in the best interests of the local community in my view given the issues already reported.

The Government could of course purchase the site to save rental costs but commit to no further expansion. A time limit could also be given on the duration of such a centre and repurposing as a convention centre/community hub. Undertakings could certainly be made in this regard given existing capacity constraints and would show an element of goodwill, but will the Minister even go this far?

These are questions best asked of and answered by Minster of State Emer Higgins and Shane Moynihan as Government TDs, but I will raise whatever follow-up queries are necessary as an Independent member of the opposition.

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3rd June 2025 - Have received formal invitation to meet with Committee of Saggart Village Residents Association next week and hope to be in a position to attend.

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27th May 2025 - Lease expansion until September

- This article in The Journal suggests that it will cost €17 million to lease the premises for three months until September: https://www.thejournal.ie/citywest-hotel-accommodation-6716557-May2025/

If this is the case, one can see why purchasing the facility outright would be attractive to the Government and indeed those needing accommodation. This of course does not mean it is in the best interests of the local community in Saggart, Citywest and Rathcoole.

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22nd May 2025 - Queries regarding potential purchase of the site

I've got a few queries after this article suggested that the Government may be considering purchasing the Citywest Hotel complex at an estimated cost of 100 million to expand already-leased services.

Given the scale of the existing facility in operation and also the loss of community facilities that were available when it was active as a hotel and conference centre, I have submitted a number of parliamentary questions in an effort to find out more.

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UPDATE ENDS

Addendum - Where I am coming from

It's worth reading my position on these matters in general. I am not a Government spokesperson nor do I subscribe to conspiracy theories. I focus on legitimate concerns from rational, ordinary people, but have no time for those who spin hatred for others to further a political agenda.

The wider context - No tolerance for racists and hate-peddlers

It's not racist to query our asylum policy or capacity in terms of supports. Nor is it racist or hateful to question the numbers of people being accommodated at specific locations.

I fully support the need for consultation and engagement. But this does not mean I subscribe to any racist drivel or "great replacement" conspiracy theories and I will not have anything to do with individuals peddling hatred, fear and misinformation.

Some tropes to look out for:

"They are letting unvetted people into the country" - anyone who applies for international protection is basically starting the vetting process. Under international agreements and obligations we have a duty of care to ensure that all fellow human beings who arrive here are treated with dignity and respect. People can argue about the pace of the process, or our capacity to cater for the numbers of applicants, but this has nothing to do with individual applicants on a human level.

"They are all economic migrants" - It is fair comment to say that some international protection applicants are economic migrants who are using the asylum process as a potentially easier way to come and work in Ireland. These people cannot be blamed for wanting a better life, but obviously from our perspective, the asylum process is not the appropriate mechanism. I've raised this myself in Dáil Éireann. The Government has designated some countries as "safe" and speeded up the processing times for these. Again people have lots of different views on this, but even from safe countries there are individual cases where people need asylum so each application has to be vetted on a case by case basis. Many thousands of people who come to Ireland each year under international protection are fleeing persecution, war or famine and escaping these circumstances is their primary concern.

"Military-age males" - There are slightly more males than females arriving in Ireland each year and there's a reason for this. The journey to Europe is often treacherous and much more dangerous for women and children. Males are less likely to be trafficked and often set out in the hope that they can reach safety to then bring their families over under family reunification. It's fair comment to question the number of single males being placed in any centre in a community without sufficient amenities and activities being organised. This is common sense whether they are Irish or from abroad. It's also fair comment to question cultural norms and whether there is any education regarding this taking place. But people should not be dehumanized. My own preferred term is "Construction-age males" as I gather many would be more than happy to work hard in Ireland in return for an honest day's pay.

"They are all criminals and rapists": There is little evidence to suggest international protection applicants in general are more likely to commit crime, sexual assault or murder anyone than the indigenous Irish population. And remember, the vast majority of attacks on women are by their male partners, an issue I've referenced before and where we need to see tougher consequences. Anyone with an existing criminal record will be flagged via Europol, Interpol or other inter-agency co-operation. My own personal view is that anyone non-Irish who commits a crime when in Ireland should be made leave the country - no questions - but there are legal protocols to follow.

The Garda Press Office had this to say in an article published in the Irish Examiner last year: ""An Garda Síochána continues to work and liaise with relevant national and local authorities to keep people attending IPAS centres safe and protect IPAS centres as required...

"An Garda Síochána is aware of significant and consistent volumes of speculation, misinformation, disinformation and falsehoods in circulation, particularly in relation to International Protection Applicants. Notwithstanding isolated local incidents, An Garda Síochána has not recorded any significant increase in criminal activity or public order issues directly caused by International Protection applicants, at any location, at this time."

However there are some valid questions. Like suggestions from Sweden that there have been increases in sexual assaults due to immigration and this piece suggesting that immigrants from certain countries are disproportionately arrested in the UK for sexual offences. This article from 2017 also has an interesting perspective from Germany. The overall data is not very complete and certainly needs to be investigated further in an Irish context. You cannot tar every asylum seeker or immigrant from a particular country with the same brush (eg the highest country had a 1% arrest rate in the UK article, meaning 99% were not arrested). But when someone living in a community sees a group of men - and men constitute the majority of sexual attackers - you can understand why they want to know where the men are from and what structures are in place. This is a fair question once it is not turned into a total frenzy that paints everyone as a predator.

"The great replacement" and the "great plantation" - Some of the extremists believe that globally, under the auspices of the WEF and other bodies, a range of international governments with vastly different types of systems, leadership and democratic values are all in cahoots and working under a well-planned scheme to replace white people in Europe with darker-skinned people. They see a lot of immigrants and put two and two together to get 20. It often gets tied in with antisemitic conspiracy theories that are now a century old, or more. The world is more chaotic and random than that. War and persecution prevails in many unfortunate corners of the world.

"Go back to your own country" - Anyone here who has received citizenship is Irish. Their children born here are Irish. And anyone who has residency here, or is an EU citizen is entitled to remain here and the vast majority are net contributors to our society. Most people of foreign extraction in Ireland have come here as immigrants as opposed to via the asylum process. They are doctors, nurses, engineers, first responders, IT professionals etc. They pay taxes and live peaceful lives. As do those who have been granted leave to remain here. Ireland has benefited hugely economically through immigration and has benefitted from diversity. If there are slackers who abuse the system, we have some of our own also and everyone should see that with rights also come responsibilities.

Ireland faces many challenges

Yes, we have issues with housing and catering for our own many homeless. It is regrettable many born here feel the need to emigrate out of economic necessity, not out of choice. And it is horrible for someone born locally to not to be able to afford what home are available. The solution is to increase supply, but it is still fair comment to question the amount of housing capacity we have available and whether it is being prioritised properly.

There is also a clear need to review and improve both our asylum and immigration policies, our processing speeds and response times. Our work permit systems. Which jobs we need to fill from abroad and which jobs we need to meet more of locally. That's all fair comment. It is also fair to expect newcomers to be able to celebrate their own culture BUT ALSO engage with and understand Irish cultural norms.

Overview

While we also need to improve in so many other ways as a nation, we are still one of the safest, most temperate and friendliest countries to live in anywhere in the world. On an individual level let's ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect and that those people trying to spin hatred and fear to progress their agenda are kept in the margins where they belong.

I have tried to be balance and believe the above opinions are in line with the vast majority of Irish citizens who have nothing against people from non-Irish backgrounds and cultures but may have some concerns regarding various Government policy positions. These people are not racist.

Watch out for groups with an agenda

But there are racists out there and people who seek conflict to further extreme political ideologies. Whether it is "far left" groups hijacking "identity politics" to drum up political support by dividing rather than uniting, or "far right" groups spinning lies and misinformation to further their warped sense of what it means to be Irish, the common good is not served by blind adherence to any ideology. Every question has an answer and sometimes the question and the answer changes depending on any new information provided. I will keep an open mind in all situations and try and follow best practice where possible.

ENDS