Tag Archives: Private contractors

MosbigMOsneyy

(From top, accommodation at Mosney in Co. Meath and asylum seekers at the centre)

Carl O’Brien, of The Irish Times, reports this morning that the State has paid a total of €800million to private firms to provide accommodation to asylum seekers since the system was rolled out in 2000.

Mr O’Brien writes:

“Today, many of the companies providing shelter are large firms involved in the property, hospitality or catering business. Some have moved to re-register themselves as private unlimited companies in recent years, which means they have no obligation to file accounts. This shields their financial affairs from public scrutiny.”
“In addition, in some cases the beneficial owners or part-owners include companies in offshore jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands.”

He adds that the five top recipients of funding for direct provision are:

Mosney Accommodation Centre, Co. Meath: €101million.
Directors: Phelim McCloskey, Drogheda, Co Louth; Sarah Gates, Drogheda, Co Louth; Ruth Kierans, Drogheda, Co Louth.

East Coast Catering: €91.5million.
ECC provides accommodation at Baleskin Reception Centre, Co. Dublin; Hatch Hall, Dublin 2; Carroll Village, Dundalk, Co. Louth.
Directors: Dundalk businessmen Denis Williams and Brian Byrne; Canada-based businessmen Patrick O’Callaghan and Richard Sheppard.

Bridgestock: €66.7million.
Bridgestock provides accommodation at Globe House, Sligo, Lisbrook House, Galway, The Old Convent in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo and Athlone Accommodation Centre, Co. Westmeath.
Directors: Séamus Gillen, Tullamore, Co Offaly; Eoghan McGinty, Galway; Michael Gillen, Sligo.

Millstreet Equestrian Services Ltd: €52.6million.
MES provides accommodation at Viking House, Waterford; Bridgewater House in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary and Drishane Castle, Millstreet, Co. Cork.
Directors: Noel C Duggan, Cork, and Thomas A Duggan.

Shaun Hennelly, Galway: €24.3million.
Mr Hennelly provides accommodation at Great Western House, Galway
Owners: Shaun and Kathleen Hennelly, Galway.

Meanwhile, way back at the beginning:

Book1 Book2

Excerpts from New Guests Of The Nation, by University College Dublin Professor Bryan Fanning. The pages are from chapter five, entitled The Politics of Racism.

Top five recipients of State funding (Carl O’Brien, Irish Times)

Asylum industry has become a cash cow for big business (Carl O’Brien, Irish Times)

New Guests Of The Irish Nation

Previously: “Issues Too Extensive To Catalogue Individually”

Related: One man’s death a sad indictment of ‘limbo’ life in direct provision (Catherine Reilly, October 2012)

Pics: Catherine ReillyIrish America