Clare County Council Called On To Play It’s Part In Ending Direct Provision

Clare County Council is being called on to play it’s part in ending Direct Provision in this country.

A delegation from the Ennis and District Soroptimists will address the local authority this afternoon along with Donah Vumo, an asylum seeker from Zimbabwe, who has been living in Knockalisheen for the past four years.

It comes on the same day that a new Direct Provision Centre is opening in Lisdoonvarna.

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The King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna is opening it’s doors for for the first time today to 30 asylum seekers – the first of up to 115 people over the course of the 12 month contract.

Coincidentally, a delegation will also call on Clare County Council to address issues pertaining to Direct Provision at their monthly meeting in Ennis.

Donah Vuma from Zimbabwe, who has been living at the Knockalisheen centre for four years will be among them.

She says that despite living close to the border of Limerick city, people in Knockalisheen struggle to get the supports they need, and she’s worried that it could be even harder in a small rural village.

Donah says she doesn’t regret coming to Ireland, but she feels that because of the Direct Provision System, her life and the lives of her three children are wasting away.

She’s hopeful that by telling her story, it will aid in efforts to reduce the length of time people have to wait to be granted refugee status.

Today’s address has been organised by the Ennis and District Soroptimists.

One of their members, Clare Fianna Fáil Councillor and barrister, Clare Colleran Molloy says the system for asylum seekers in Ireland isn’t good enough.