Additional accommodation has been announced for asylum seekers in Galway, Dublin, and Cork. This will be used to assist with social distancing in direct provision centres.
Cllr. Pauline O’Reilly, Seanad candidate and spokesperson for Foreign Affairs for the Green Party, has been looking for this accommodation for Galway, following representations on a lack of space in the Ditect Provision centres.
“Weeks after the rest of the population has been asked to social distance, and following incidents of Covid-19, including here in Galway, the Department of Justice is acting to secure additional accommodation.”
“While I welcome the development, I believe residents have been let down by the delays.”
“Direct provision is like a pressure cooker and is the very worst environment for social distancing. Add to this the fact that support workers cannot now enter, and that people are living with others who they have not chosen to be with. It highlights all that is wrong with this system of accommodation for those who seek our help as the flea from difficult circumstances”.