Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Harkin for raising the issue. I do take on board the importance of community engagement, and I meet communities as I travel around the country. I think there should always be engagement with communities. I understand that the Abbey Manor Hotel shut down in 2009. It was derelict for over 13 years before being purchased by new owners in 2022. That is certainly what I am being told. I understand that there was an offer of this accommodation late last year to the Department of integration and as the Deputy knows well, there was a legal dispute on that between the county council and the Department.

My understanding is that it is likely that this will be used but more likely for families, as the Deputy has suggested. I will certainly ensure there is engagement with the Deputy from the Department, and her point on engaging with the community to try to get this right is a constructive suggestion. Community engagement is something the Government supports. We always say no one has a veto on who lives in an area but engaging with communities and giving people information is important.

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