An additional 650 beds have been secured for asylum seekers in Direct Provision Centres.
These rooms will be located in hotels in Galway, Cork and Dublin, the Department of Justice has confirmed.
While this is a welcome development, Cllr. Pauline O’Reilly has said that the delays have let residents down.
“Weeks after the rest of the population has been asked to social distance, and following incidents of COVID-19, including here in Galway, the Department of Justice is acting to secure additional accommodation.
“While I welcome the development, I believe residents have been let down by the delays,” said the Green Party councillor.
She said that Direct provision is like a pressure cooker and is ‘the very worst environment’ for social distancing.
“Add to this the fact that support workers cannot now enter, and that people are living with others who they have not chosen to be with.
“It highlights all that is wrong with this system of accommodation for those who seek our help as the flea from difficult circumstances,” she added.
There are 5,686 people living direct-provision centres across Ireland.
