Mayo councillor seeks clarity on IPAS recipients in Castlebar

Fine Gael councillor Donna Sheridan has once again sought information on the number of International Protection Applicants housed in the Business Park in Moneen, Castlebar.

Despite persistent concerns raised over the past 12 months regarding the living conditions and number of families and children in the busy business park, Sheridan claims to have received no response from council management.

Sheridan, expressing a welcoming attitude towards everyone in Castlebar and Mayo, highlighted the positive contributions that international residents make to local communities. However, frustration with the lack of information and transparency has led her and her colleagues on Mayo County Council to take decisive action.

During Monday's meeting, council members, including Sheridan, instructed council staff to cease cooperation with the Department of Integration. This decision will remain in effect until a clear strategy for the provision of local resources and facilities is put in place, addressing the concerns raised by the councillors.

The move by Mayo County Council has garnered national attention, with major news outlets such as RTÉ and Newstalk reaching out to Councillor Michael Kilcoyne to discuss the reasoning behind the councillors' decision.

The details surrounding the concerns, the decision to cease cooperation, and the call for a comprehensive strategy from the Department of Integration are expected to fuel further debate and discussions in the coming days.