81 Children In Clare’s Direct Provision Centres

81 children are being accomodated at Clare’s two direct provision centres.

They’re among the near-2,000 children living in such centres nationally, as Clare FM’s Gavin Grace reports.

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39 of the 238 asylum seekers who are being accommodated at the direct provision centre in Knockalisheen, South-East Clare, are children.

That’s also the case for 42 of the 129 residents at Clare’s other direct provision centre, the former King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna.

According to figures released by the Junior Minister responsible, David Stantion, they’re among the 1,677 children who are living in the 38 centres around the country.

Over 5,000 adults are accomodated in those centres, as well as in emergency accmommodation sites at hotels and guest houses.

The statistics also suggest that the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna, which accomodates family units, could be over capacity.

In February, the Dáil was told that its contracted capacity was to accommodate 115 people but it’s currently housing 14 more than that amount.

It’s not clear whether the permitted capacity has increased in recent months.