Louth County Council seeks clarity on the future of the D Hotel in Drogheda as its use as an IPAS centre reaches two years with uncertainty over renewal.
Louth County Council is to write to the Department of Justice and the D Hotel in Drogheda in a bid to establish the future plans for the premises, which has been operating as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers since March 2024.
The D Hotel has been used as a dispersal centre for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), with families staying for short periods before being transferred to alternative accommodation centres elsewhere in the country.
In a statement to LMFM News last month, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration said the D Hotel continues to function as a dispersal centre, but added that details of individual contractual arrangements are treated as confidential and commercially sensitive while they are ongoing.
The Department also stated that any potential contract renewals would be decided on a case-by-case basis, explaining that the provision of accommodation for people seeking international protection is demand-led.
Tourism Concerns Raised
The issue was raised by Independent Councillor Paddy McQuillan during Louth County Council’s monthly meeting, which also heard that the county’s new Tourism Strategy is ready to go to print.
Councillor McQuillan said the hotel’s beds are vital for tourism in Drogheda and the wider Louth area, and that the current uncertainty is creating difficulties for tourism planning, festivals, and the night-time economy.
He said that with the two-year period originally outlined for use of the D Hotel now coming to an end, there is frustration locally that no clear decision has been communicated about the hotel’s future.
According to Cllr McQuillan, both he and Drogheda BIDS had written to the Minister’s office seeking clarity, but received similar responses stating that each location would be reviewed individually.
He welcomed the move by the council to formally contact the relevant authorities to try to establish what will happen next.
Local TD Expects Contract Renewal on D Hotel
Meanwhile, Labour TD Ged Nash has said he believes the contract for the D Hotel to continue operating as an IPAS centre will be renewed.
Speaking on LMFM’s The Agenda with Adrian Kennedy, Deputy Nash said that while the contract had effectively reached its end date, the facility is still in operation, and he believes there are indications the arrangement will continue.
However, he said it is now important that the responsible ministers provide a clear public statement on the future of the D Hotel so that the local community, businesses, and tourism sector can plan ahead with certainty.
Economic and Social Impact
The future of the D Hotel is seen as significant for Drogheda’s tourism sector, particularly as the town continues to develop its festival programme, night-time economy, and visitor offering.
Local representatives say clarity is needed as soon as possible, as the availability of hotel rooms plays a key role in attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and growing tourism across the region.
For now, the situation remains uncertain, with Louth County Council set to seek answers from the Department of Justice on what the future holds for the D Hotel.
