Living In Tented Accommodation Should Never Be Normalised Says Public Expenditure Minister On Ennis Visit

The Minister for Public Expenditure says he expects progress to be made in the coming days in relation to the use of tented accommodation at the Knockalisheen Direct Provision Centre in South East Clare.

Speaking on a visit to Ennis today, Paschal Donohoe says we should never normalise a situation where anyone in our country needs a tent to live in.

Concerns were raised once again earlier this month, when over 60 asylum seekers were forced to sleep overnight in tented accommodation in Knockalisheen as temperatures plummeted.

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It’s understood the decision was taken due to a shortage of beds, despite a Government commitment last December that this type of accommodation would not be used again.

Speaking as part of a visit to Ennis, the Public Expenditure Minister says the Government is doing everything it can to provide alternative accommodation for anyone at risk of homelessness, regardless of their circumstances.

But Minister Paschal Donohoe admits the Government is up against pressures caused by a number of factors including war and climate change.

Listen to the full interview with Minister Paschal Donohoe here:

The Public Expenditure Minister is the key speaker at the Ennis Chamber President’s lunch, where he’ll discuss about the commercial opportunities attached to the off-shore wind energy industry.

The event will also honour current president Colin Ryan and those who took up the role during the pandemic – including Gwen Culligan, Allen Flynn and Darragh McAllister.