The proposed establishment of the IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Services) centre at Academy House in Roscommon poses significant safety and logistical concerns for our community.

One major factor is the lack of thorough vetting and background checks on individuals who would be housed in this facility. Without proper protocols to verify identities, including background and criminal record checks, there is a heightened risk to our children, friends, and family.

These safety concerns are amplified by the absence of passports for some individuals, complicating their traceability and accountability. Several requests for information on incident reports for the current IPAS centres have been ignored nationally. These were made through the Freedom of Information Act and are not being disclosed. Local communities need to understand why this information is not being shared.

Our community is already struggling under severe pressure. House and rent prices have reached historic highs, squeezing potential homeowners out of the market and forcing an increase in emigration as young people in particular, seek affordable and better living conditions elsewhere.

Our country is educating our young and then exporting them to other lands. Meanwhile, a massive housing shortage plagues us, leaving many without homes or in precarious living situations. Our hospitals are overburdened with lengthy waiting lists, doctors are increasingly difficult to come by, childcare is next to impossible to come by locally, long waiting lists for the town’s schools who need to fundraise to get sufficient resources, and nationally prison facilities are becoming increasingly overcrowded. 

Introducing a new IPAS centre in this context will further strain our already limited resources. Providing services to newcomers is a moral obligation, but it should never come at the expense of the safety and wellbeing of the current residents. Overcrowding not only diminishes the quality of life for everyone involved but also undermines any meaningful support we can offer to those truly in need.

We believe it is critical to first ensure that our local infrastructure can support an increase in population without diminishing service quality. We urge decision-makers to stop creating IPAS centres in Roscommon as well as nationally. Ireland currently does not have the social services and infrastructure to support. 

To protect the wellbeing and safety of our community, we ask you to engage with us to find a constructive solution that respects both our community's needs and the humanitarian responsibilities we have as a nation. See note below for details statistics that need careful consideration when making decisions like this.

Sign this petition to voice your opposition against the IPAS centre being established at Academy House in Roscommon and to advocate for a more thoughtful and secure allocation of resources and spaces.

Statistics:

"In March 2025, a record high of 15,378 people were identified as homeless in Ireland, with 10,725 adults and 4,653 children in emergency accommodation, according to the Irish Examiner. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reported that over 10,300 people were counted as homeless in the Census of 2022.

A new Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report released on the 28 May, 2025 states that there will be a requirements for an additional 650 to 950 day patient beds by 2040 – a growth of between 25-37 per cent. In addition, it projects a requirement for between 4,400 to 6,800 inpatient beds – an increase of between 40 per cent and 60 per cent.

According to the CSO in the 12 months to April 2024, there were over 69,000 emigrants from Ireland, the highest number since the year to April 2015. This includes 34,700 Irish citizens, 10,600 other EU citizens, 3,000 UK citizens, and 21,500 other citizens, including Ukrainians. The net migration was positive, with 149,200 immigrants and 69,900 emigrants"