Helen McEntee said the Direct Provision system for asylum seekers cannot be replaced overnight. Image: Google Maps Helen McEntee said the Direct Provision system for asylum seekers cannot be replaced overnight. Image: Google Maps JUSTICE MINISTER HELEN McEntee has said that Direct Provision residents of the Skellig Star hotel in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry are to be moved.
Speaking in the Seanad this evening the minister said that a number of residents have asked for a transfer from the centre and, as travel restrictions have eased, they will get to move out soon.“It is a matter of deep regret for me as Minister for Justice and I’m very sorry that the residents of the Skellig Star felt their concerns required this type of action,” she said.
“However, I am conscious that because they can’t cook their own meals it is a difficult situation for residents to be in.” The unsuitability of the centre as a direct provision has been clear since the centre was opened and it fails almost all the requirements of a direct provision centre laid out in the Department of Justice’s own regulations. “Within weeks of opening, over a quarter of the residents tested positive for Covid-19 and there was a lack of rooms and space for them to self-isolate. The residents have been exhausted by the process of trying to raise their concernsm,” he addes.