'No current plans' to move asylum seekers from Athlone tents during cold snap

A Government Department said this evening (Friday) that it has no plans at this stage to move 185 asylum seekers out of their tented accommodation in Athlone during the current freezing weather conditions.

A yellow-level weather warning for snow and ice is set to come into effect in Westmeath from 7pm tomorrow (Saturday), while Met Éireann has also issued a longer-term weather advisory warning that very cold conditions will persist well into the second half of next week.

However, the Department said that, as of now, the plan is for residents to continue living in tents at the Athlone accommodation site, adding that the tents have "heating facilities" and that the residents will be given "additional bedding and blankets if necessary".

The controversial development of tented accommodation for male asylum seekers at Lissywollen in Athlone has been in use for the last month, with an initial intake of 92 residents that was subsequently increased to 185 shortly before Christmas.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said the number of residents in the tented accommodation would not be increased further while a High Court challenge against the development was underway.

The Westmeath Independent contacted the Department today to ask if there were any plans to move the tented residents into indoor accommodation during the current cold spell.

"The International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) is working with centre managers to ensure that people are safe and as comfortable as possible at all accommodation locations during the current period of cold weather," the Department said, in response.

"This includes people staying in tented accommodation at Midlands Accommodation Centre (in Athlone) where the Department continues to provide accommodation for 185 people seeking international protection while legal matters related to the site are in progress.

"There are no plans to move people from Midlands Accommodation Centre at this time.

"The tented accommodation at the site is equipped to deal with poor weather conditions and there are heating facilities in the tents.

"Residents will be given additional bedding and blankets if necessary, and hot food and drinks will be served as always."

The Department added that there would be "ongoing contact with all centre managers" as further weather forecasts are issued.