Barringtons Hospital Excluded from IPAS Accommodation Plans

Confirmation from the Department of Justice that Barringtons Hospital in Limerick City will not serve as accommodation for international protection applicants has been positively received by the local community. This statement came in response to concerns raised by local officials, particularly Fianna Fáil senator Dee Ryan, who had inquired directly with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan.

In a letter to Senator Ryan, Minister O’Callaghan assured her that Barringtons Hospital is not under consideration for use by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). Ryan expressed relief at this confirmation, stating she is “glad the issue can now be put to bed.”

The Minister further noted that the demand for IPAS accommodation is stabilizing, with over 400 properties, including 12,000 tourism beds, returned to their original purposes in 2024. He emphasized that the government is shifting towards a more sustainable approach to accommodation, focusing on the development of state-owned land and targeted property acquisitions.

Community Perspectives on Future Use of Barringtons Hospital

Senator Ryan’s focus is now directed toward ensuring that the Barringtons building is utilized in a manner that benefits the local community. “This is an iconic site in the heart of Limerick,” she stated. “Rather than remaining idle or being used on a short-term emergency basis, we should explore opportunities to deliver real value for the community—whether that’s through housing, cultural or community space, or another use that supports the ongoing regeneration of our city.”

Independent councillor Ursula Gavan echoed these sentiments, expressing enthusiasm for the potential of Barringtons to contribute to the future of healthcare in Limerick. “It is centrally located to provide step-down facilities as well as a nursing home offering long-term care for older adults,” Gavan suggested. She highlighted that repurposing the site could serve as a cost-effective solution for a second state-owned nursing home in the region, especially given current capacity issues at St Camillus’s.

Another councillor, Maria Donoghue, also advocated for the site to be transformed into a healthcare facility, noting the pressing need for such services in the Mid West region. While acknowledging the positive outcome regarding its use for IPAS, Donoghue raised concerns about broader issues related to planning exemptions that prioritize temporary accommodation over sustainable development.

Concerns About Planning Exemptions and Urban Development

Donoghue criticized the increasing use of Section 5 planning exemptions, which she argues prioritize lucrative government contracts for temporary accommodations at the cost of long-term urban resilience and community balance. “This approach effectively locks communities, businesses, and local authorities out of key decisions affecting the future of our cities,” she stated.

The Limerick Chamber also welcomed the news regarding Barringtons Hospital. Chamber CEO Michelle Gallagher stated, “In July, we wrote to both the Minister for Housing and the Minister for Justice, highlighting the challenges with the planning exemption system for IPAS accommodation.” She pointed out that the current exemption process conflicts with local planning efforts and distorts property market values.

Gallagher noted that the two-tier planning system created by the exemptions leads to disparities in how residential accommodations are developed compared to IPAS accommodations. She called for a fair and balanced approach that ensures local development plans are respected and that social services are not overly concentrated in city centers.

As discussions around the future of Barringtons Hospital continue, local leaders express hope for its repurposing in a way that serves the Limerick community effectively while addressing the ongoing challenges of urban development and planning.