Families housed at a Direct Provision centre in Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry will be moved out by the end of next week.
It comes after 32 residents at the former Skellig Star Hotel went on hunger strike this week as they felt the accommodation was not suitable.
Kerry TD Brendan Griffin says plans for the centre's complete closure are also underway:
I received confirmation today from Minister Helen McEntee that the first families will be moved out of Cahersiveen Direct Provision Centre by the end of next week & plans for its total closure in the coming months are underway.
— Brendan Griffin (@BGriffinTD) July 30, 2020
The Justice Minister has confirmed that restrictions on transfers are now being relaxed.
Minister Helen McEntee says all residents will be moved out of the centre as soon as possible.
"Places for the first familes are currently being identified and moves for them will be completed by next week.
Other residents in the centre will be moved to permanent accommodation as soon as spaces can be found.
This process will be completed in a relatively short period of time, in no more than a few months.
Realistically I would like to see this done by the end of the year"
