The Department of Justice has confirmed that a Lisdoonvarna hotel is to accommodate asylum seekers from next month.
The Department has told Clare FM that the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna will house asylum seekers, or what it calls “applicants for international protection” with effect from March 5th.
Their statement to Clare FM does not say how many will be accommodated there, but the King Thomond, which is located on the outskirts of Lisdoonvarna, has 65 en-suite bedrooms.
The Department recently sought expressions of interest for suc accomodation, given what it calls “significant pressure” on space in the system.
It also says that it is grateful for the support of local communities around the country where these centres are located.
Efforts to contact the owner of the King Thomond Hotel have so far been unsuccessful.
We’ll have more on this on Clare FM’s Morning Focus tomorrow, Thursday, from 9am.
Statement from the Department Of Justice:
There are a number of centres all around the State where accommodation is provided to those seeking international protection in Ireland while their applications are being considered (this is a legal process).
There is currently significant pressure on space and the Department (of Justice and Equality) recently published a call for expressions of interest in the national press and EU journal seeking offers of accommodation for persons in the protection process.
The King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna will begin to offer accommodation to applicants for international protection with effect from 5th March, 2018.
The Department is grateful for the support of local communities all around the country where international protection centres are located.
