A Clare Government TD says tented accommodation being provided for asylum seekers during the current cold snap is ‘inhumane’.
It comes amid concerns that there are more than 100 residents sleeping in tents at Knockalisheen Direct Provision Centre in Meelick, with temperatures having dropped below freezing here last night.
The Department of Equality has told Clare FM that the settings are ‘less than ideal’ and that tented accommodation will ‘cease to operate once the current residents are all re-accommodated’.
Meelick-based Fianna Fail Deputy Cathal Crowe says an alternative solution needs to be found quickly.
Listen to the full interview here:
Statement from Department of Equality
As at 30 November there were 104 International Protection applicants in tented accommodation in Knockalisheen.
International protection (IP) applicants have a statutory right to anonymity and accordingly, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not provide information about the occupants of IPAS accommodation and their nationalities.
All remaining IP applicants in tented accommodation are prioritised to move to suitable accommodation as soon as it becomes available.
Officials continue to seek accommodation solutions to the increasing numbers of IP arrivals.
Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation.
The Department is availing of all offers of accommodation made to it, including the use of office buildings and sports facilities to address the accommodation shortfall.
While the current reliance on emergency settings is less than ideal, these options are necessary in order to provide shelter to international protection arrivals and to prevent homelessness.
Tented accommodation will cease to operate once the current residents are all re-accommodated.
