Over 300 asylum seekers currently in tented accommodation
Over 300 asylum seekers currently in tented accommodation
Words: Eva O’Beirne
176 asylum seekers were moved into tented accommodation this week alone.
104 refugees were moved into tents set up alongside the Direct Provision Centre at Knocklisheen in Co Clare on 5 September, while 40 people have been living in tents at the Johnston Marina Direct Provision Centre in Co Kerry since 25 July.
A “tented village” has now been set up at the Direct Provision Centre in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said it expects those living in tents at the site in Kerry to remain there until the “end of Autumn pending availability of permanent accommodation.”
No time frame was specified for those who have moved into the tented camp in Co Clare, or who are due to move into tents in Co Westmeath.
Nick Henderson, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, said the tented accommodation doesn’t meet people’s ‘basic needs’.
”Emergency accommodation must meet somebody’s basic needs and be used for a shorter period as possible we don’t think tented accommodation as is currently used and until the end of the Autumn we understand it meets those two requirements.”
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