NUREMORE MANAGEMENT AND IPAS STATE THAT THE FACILITY WILL NOT BECOME A DIRECT PROVISION CENTRE

By Veronica Corr

This week, Nuremore Hotel management were hopeful that all wages outstanding would be in their accounts as we went to press today, Thursday, February 15th. Hotel management and a spokesperson for International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), both stated that the hotel was not earmarked for Direct Provision. On Monday, February 13th, the management of the Nuremore Hotel issued the following statement to The Northern Standard newspaper: “The hotel management deeply regret that staff wages are not paid on time, however, wages are not processed in-house, but a third-party approved by the hotel’s owner.

“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all staff during this extremely difficult time and we are hopeful that all staff will be paid fully up-to-date this week, with both Golf and Leisure Centre functioning. “The proposed refurbishment is still scheduled to take place and we are awaiting funding to come through in order for this to commence. “We would like to reiterate that the hotel is NOT becoming a Direct Provision centre and locals can be reassured of this.

“We are conscious of the role that Nuremore Hotel plays as an essential part of tourism in County Monaghan and South Monaghan. It is much loved by generations of Carrickmacross people.” Last week, Wednesday February 8th, this newspaper contacted The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s Media section.

International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) falls under the remit of that Department, and a spokesperson confirmed: “The Department is not in contract with the accommodation in question.” Last Friday, February 10th, SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “I spoke to the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys yesterday regarding this situation. I called upon the Minister to make direct contact with the main owner of the hotel, Mr Kai Dai (a Chinese entrepreneur). The first priority is to get Mr Dai to pay all outstanding monies owed to the workers.”

See Carrickmacross News.