FUTURE OF LISBROOK ASYLUM CENTRE COMES BEFORE DAIL

Date Published: 20-Sep-2012

The feared closure of Lisbrook House asylum centre in the city has been brought before the Dail.

Galway West Labour TD Derek Nolan raised concerns regarding the direct provision system within which it is run, and questioned whether that system now needs to be reviewed.

The centre was due to close with the resulting relocation of 270 residents, adults and children, to other centres nationwide and the loss of 24 jobs.

However this operation stalled after the Minister of Justice last week directed that no transfers take place until a consideration process of the case background in complete.

Speaking in the Dail following the publication of a report by the Irish Refugee Council on child asylum seekers and the direct provision system, Deputy Derek Nolan raised a query over the dispersion of such children and families.

Meanwhile, a delegation from Lisbrook House is attending a meeting in Leinster House this afternoon in an effort to convince TDs and Senators to support efforts to keep the facility open.

Galway Sinn Fein Senator Trevor O' Clochartaigh is facilitating the meeting with two residents from the facility at the former Ibis Hotel, off the Headford Road.