'Woman in Spain' to benefit from IPAS centre contract in Tipperary worth up to €20m

Fresh concerns have emerged over a multi-million-euro Government contract for an IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Services) accommodation centre in Dundrum in county Tipperary, following revelations about the company awarded the deal.

The contract, estimated to be worth "between €16 million and €20 million" according to one local representative, has been granted to a little-known company called Utmasta, which is now leasing Dundrum House Hotel for the purpose of housing International Protection applicants.

However, scrutiny is mounting after it was revealed that Utmasta did not exist prior to January 9, 2025, according to claims by one Tipperary councillor. 

Cllr Liam Browne says the company was incorporated in Spain just three months ago, with a declared capital of only €120 and a single listed director, Ms Ana Maria Fernandez Sanchez.

Utmasta also has a listed address in Sandyford Business Park, Dublin.

He said: "So basically, the Irish Government have signed a contract, worth tens of millions, to a woman living in Spain, running a three month old company valued at €120, who has no track record of ever running a hotel or direct provision centre.

"That is your tax money, going offshore."

On Monday, it was revealed that a contract had been signed to house over 250 asylum seekers in Dundrum House Hotel, although there have been other reports from local representatives that the final figure is 277. 

The hotel has been used as a centre for refugees since early 2022, when Ukrainian refugees began to take up residency in the hotel following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The hotel made national news last summer, when roughly 80 international protection applicants were relocated onto the grounds of the hotel, sparking outrage amongst many locals, who have been protesting outside the gates of the hotel since May of last year.

Speaking on the signing of the new contract, Cllr Liam Browne posted on his social media, saying: "I'm extremely disappointed to have to pass on this news, but I've just been informed that the DCEDIY have signed a contract for 277 IPAS applicants to be accommodated at Dundrum House.

"We've not yet been told when people will be moving into Dundrum House, but expect it to be relatively soon.

"Since this was first mooted last year, I've said this is the wrong decision. Moving such numbers into a small rural area, without first addressing the lack of services in the area, causes problems both for local residents and for those being accommodated.

"There are also serious issues around the ownership and planning status of Dundrum House, which are currently being investigated in the courts.

"The Government have been at fault in regards of communicating with local residents from day one, countrywide, and are now leaving down the vast majority of residents in Dundrum and West Tipperary again.

"I've said from the beginning, in my opinion, this is a money racket, and once again, we're seeing millions of euro of taxpayers money being paid out, with only the barest of accountability.

"Whoever made this decision, made the wrong one," he concluded.

Cllr Annemarie Ryan also provided an update saying: "Councillors received an email on Monday from the Community Engagement Team, informing us that a contract has been signed for the use of Dundrum House Hotel as an IPAS Centre.

Here are some of the details so far:

277 people (in total) will be accommodated in Dundrum House.

114 bedrooms have been approved.

Accommodation is for families.

Contract is for two years.

A valid fire cert is in place and has been provided to the Department.

The property is operated by Utmasta Limited, who have a 20-year lease on the site.

Security staff will be present on a 24-hour basis with CCTV in place.

The Department will manage the arrival of families to Dundrum.

"I asked for some further clarification:

"The Ukrainians still living in Dundrum are staying there until the Government make a decision on their future accommodation.

"Families will start arriving in the next 2/3 weeks, in small numbers."