Wexford TD welcomes developer’s decision to withdraw IPAS application for Gorey

Local Sinn Féin TD Fionntán Ó Suilleabháin has welcomed the decision by the Seán Doyle Group to withdraw its application for IPAS accommodation beside Gorey’s Main Street area…

An application was made to Wexford County Council on February 19th for a change of use for a property ‘Waygood’, which is situated across from Gorey’s Coach House Pub, and just off the town’s Main Street.

It requested that the property, which has a large vacant area to its rear, have its previously granted planning permission for a “commercial guest-house” be changed to temporary accommodation for IPAS applicants.

Opposition quickly grew to the proposal, and yesterday evening (Monday, 24th) The Seán Doyle Group issued a statement that they were withdrawing their application.

Local developer withdraws application for IPAS centre in Gorey

Local Sinn Féin TD, Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain, who has been outspoken in relation to speculative development of local facilities for IPAS accommodation for many years, stated:

“It was the correct decision, and I welcome it. Widespread opposition to the proposal was quickly growing. The site is in an area zoned ‘Town Centre’ and is earmarked for commercial development. We need to call a halt to the rampant speculative development of buildings in the privatised IPAS industry. Last year, the state spent over one billion euro on the IPAS industry, going almost exclusively to provide providers and investors.”

“In addition, the state has paid out €239m for the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) for the Ukrainian response, which sees providers earning 800 euro per month tax-free, with the additional option of a top-up payment. This distorts the rental sector and creates an unfair playing field, as it puts ordinary renters at a severe disadvantage when trying to secure rental accommodation in their home areas. It needs to be scrapped when the current scheme expires on March 31st,” the Wicklow/Wexford TD told Wexford Weekly.

Last week, residents of Templeshannon in Enniscorthy protested in opposition to IPAS plans for the area, while only this week, Rosslare residents ended their year-long protest after An Bord Pleanála deemed that a Rosslare hotel was not exempt – meaning that it could not become an IPAS centre.