Leitrim County Council’s role in supporting IPAS residents debated at meeting

Concerns were raised at a meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District regarding how residents of the Abbey Manor IPAS Centre in Dromahair can advocate for themselves. A debate arose between Cllr Eddie Mitchell and Council staff over the Council’s role in relation to IPAS.

Cllr Mitchell called on Leitrim County Council to work with appropriate agencies to help establish a democratic advocacy committee structure at the Abbey Manor IPAS Centre.

“The people living there need a safe advocacy structure where they can organise themselves, raise issues and concerns without compromising their human rights,” the motion said.

The motion followed an incident involving a Nigerian family who, after a dispute, were issued a relocation notice to Athlone, forcing their young son to leave his classmates and miss the final week of Junior Infants at the local primary school.

“There’s a lot of different demographics in there. There needs to be an elected committee independent from the management that can represent the views of the people in there,” Cllr Mitchell added.

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Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance for Leitrim County Council, explained that the Local Authority Integration Team is responsible for organising regular clinics in IPAS centres and directing residents to available services. However, he stressed that the day-to-day management of the centres falls under the remit of IPAS and the Department of Justice.

He confirmed that Cllr Mitchell’s motion could be passed on to both bodies for consideration.

“Any issues that are brought to our concern will similarly be sent on to IPAS as it is their facility,” Mr Dwyer said.

Cllr Mitchell maintained that the purpose of the motion was to secure a mandate from the Municipal District to support the creation of an advocacy structure.

Mr Dwyer reiterated that the Municipal District and Leitrim County Council do not hold that authority.

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“It’s not our duty, we will forward it to the people whose duty it is,” he said.

Cllr Bohan supported this view, stating, “Everyone wants the best for everyone regardless of what situation they’re in but we’re giving the impression that Leitrim County Council are responsible. We need to concentrate on the people that have a role.”

Cllr Mitchell expressed frustration over the lack of response from IPAS and the Department of Justice to his previous concerns.

“We don't have a role is the bottom line,” Mr Dwyer reiterated.

While Cllr Mitchell felt that the Council was “walking away from their duty of care,” he ultimately agreed to refer the motion to IPAS and the Department of Justice for a formal response.