Kelly Says €150,000 Feasibility Study on Potential State Purchase & Management of Roscrea Hotel is an Absolute Waste of Taxpayers Money
Labour’s Alan Kelly TD said:
“There has been so much public anger lately about the waste of public money whether is bike sheds, security huts or other issues.
“The Government decision to take away, the Racket Hall, the only functioning hotel in Roscrea earlier this year was stupid and they have admitted it was wrong.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right though and the decision of the Government to try and placate public anger by looking to take over the former Grants Hotel in the town centre is as some form of public run hotel is even more stupid.
“The taxpayers of Ireland are not hoteliers.
“The officials in Government departments think this is ridiculous and dare I say it Failte Ireland are bemused by it. Even Ministers are privately throwing their eyes up to heaven at the idea.
“What’s worse is they are spending €150,000 of taxpayers money on a feasibility study for this.
“Now the laughable thing is that the owner of the hotel has it up for sale so where is the €150,000 going now? Is it still going ahead? How much has been spent?
“I asked the Minister responsible for this waste, Heather Humphrey’s what was going to happen in the Dail today? Are they going to buy the hotel now? I didn’t receive an answer.
“Realistically, are the state going to buy a derelict hotel? Are they going to refurbish it to Failte Ireland and building standards? Are they going to find some entity to run it and make it a viable proposition for generations?
“They shouldn’t take the taxpayer for fools.
“I want this €150,000 spent in Roscrea. I want multiples of it spent. However the Garda station isn’t open the hours it needs to be as there are not enough Gardai around. One Gardai recently had to come down from Newport for 6 months to give cover? Surely the money would be better used for this purpose or the new secondary school that is required are Colaiste Phobal or progressing the requirement of a new Nursing Home than this absolutely ridiculous waste.”