The Department of Justice has confirmed that the Direct Provision Centre in Miltown Malbay is to close.
Seven residents are currently staying in the accommodation and they have been informed that they are to be moved, with all transfers to be completed by the end of this week.
A local group in the West Clare town, who have supported the asylum seekers, recently wrote to the Department of Justice in June, calling for the centre to be closed.
The Department now says that there are no further plans for the premises in Miltown Malbay to be used as a direct provision centre.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD, Cathal Crowe has welcomed the announcement. He’s been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that he believes the whole system needs to be reviewed.
The Department of Justice has issued the following statement:
In line with the Department’s policy of moving residents from emergency accommodation to dedicated centres as soon as places become available, the residents in Miltown Malbay have been informed this week of their new accommodation arrangements.
Transfers of all residents from Miltown Malbay will be completed by the end of the week. Following the completion of transfers, the Department does not intend to continue its use of this emergency location. There are currently 7 residents in the centre.
Restrictions on transfers were necessary as a precaution during the pandemic. While transfers can now take place in limited circumstances, our ability to respond to transfer requests is contingent on public health advice and subject to availability within the accommodation system.
Our stated aim is to reduce the reliance on emergency accommodation but given existing demand, that can only be achieved through increasing the number of dedicated Direct Provision bed spaces. The pandemic has impacted the Department’s ability to open new centres. However the sourcing and provision of suitable accommodation to facilitate independent living for residents remains a priority.
We do not disclose the centres to which residents are transferred in order to protect their privacy.
