CITY ASYLUM CENTRE TO CLOSE

Date Published: 10-Oct-2012

A decision has been made to close an asylum accomodation centre in the city.

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has confirmed that Lisbrook House, formerly the IBIS hotel, off the Headford road, will close by the end of next month.

It follows a review on an earlier decision by the reception and integration agency to close the facility, which houses over 250 men, women and children.

In a statement, Minister Shatter says that the fundamental problem with keeping the centre open to the end of the school year in July 2013 is cost.

The cost of buying beds would amount to over 2 million euro, which the Government says could be put to better use.

On the specifics, the transfer of residents will take place from now until mid to late November.

Single people will begin to be moved over the next 10 days, most will go to the Great Western in Eyre Square and others will go to two other centres in Limerick city.

Families of children attending secondary school will transfer to the Eglington in Salthill to ensure their education will not be interrupted.