It’s claimed the provision of facilities allowing for independent living at Clare’s third direct provision centre will make a big difference to the lives of residents.
The Clare Lodge, which first opened it’s doors as a Direct Provision Centre in the late 90’s will re-open it’s doors to asylum seekers at the end of this month.
The Clare Lodge was used a Direct Provision Centre for a decade, but the service for asylum seekers ceased there in 2009.
Now the Department of Justice has confirmed that after having undergone a refurbishment in recent times, the building on the Mill Road will now re-open.
It will house 64 single adults, the first of whom will arrive at the end of this month, with the remainder coming in January.
A 60% increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland has prompted the Department to seek additional accommodation, and this facility will be the third in Clare and the fortieth in the country.
Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway, who’s his party’s Seanad Justice Spokesperson, says it’s a necessary development, and one which will receive a warm welcome in Ennis.
Direct Provision has long since been acknowledged as insufficient, and the system has been widely criticised over recent years.
But a number of recommendations contained in a report by Judge McMahon are now being implemented, with a view to improving the lives of residents.
One of those, namely that asylum seekers should be in a position to live independently, is at the core of the Ennis facility, with residents there being provided with cooking facilities.
Orla Ní Fhéilí of the Clare Immigrant Support Centre says the facilities for independent living will make a phenomenal difference to the people living there.
The centre will be run by Bridgestock Care Ltd., which operates existing centres in Ballyhaunis and Sligo and it’s understood they’ll employ 15 people here.
