Cathaoirleach Tony Ward welcomed all of the members and thanked them for their attendance at short notice. The purpose of the Special Meeting is for the Department of Justice officials to make a presentation and answer questions regarding the announcement yesterday (5^th January) to open an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) at the Abbeyfield Hotel in Ballaghaderreen. The development forms part of the Governments response to the Syrian crisis.

Mr. John Roycroft, Programme Director with the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) and Mr. Eugene Banks, Principal Officer with the Reception and Integration Agency attended the meeting.

Mr. Roycroft presented a Briefing Note to the members to outline the programme and the opening of the EROC in Ballaghaderreen:

·         The Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). The context of the crisis is as a consequence of the war in Syria and broader conflict in Middle East.

·         Those destined for the new EROC in Roscommon will be asylum seekers coming via Greece/Italy route. They are expected to receive a grant of protection within 8-12 weeks and their stay in EROC is intended to be short term after which they will be housed somewhere in Ireland.

·         The main function of an EROC is to provide for basic needs of the residents and an intense range of support services. The hearing for their claim for refugee status will take place within 10-12 week period and during this time they are provided with full bed and board, access to English Language training and a range of other services. A suitable community in which they will be permanently resettled will be found as soon as possible thereafter.

·         The Department of Justice sought Expressions of Interest in October 2015 to identify potential properties to facilitate EROCs. Of the 90 responses, after short listing, 14 emerged as having potential to be suitable however the selection process was suspended during 2016 as the numbers ready to come were lower than anticipated due to operational reasons in Greece.

·         The shortlist was re-examined in late 2016 when the numbers for relocation increased and the Abbeyfield Hotel in Ballaghaderreen was identified as the only one that could be operational as an EROC to meet demand in early 2017.

·         Ballaghaderreen was shortlisted and deemed suitable for a number of reasons including capacity, potential for services, proximity to schools, medical needs, public transport, potential benefits to local commerce etc.

·         Migrants are expected to reside in an EROC for a period of up to 6 months while awaiting determination on refugee status and allocation of a permanent housing solution which is a nationwide strategy.

·         The EROC will not be open to the public as is considered best international practice. A “Friends of the Centre” group will be established to coordinate providing assistance to deliver local voluntary support services.

·         The full range of state services will be provided at the centre or in the town and every effort is made to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.17