Prefabricated buildings are being erected to house up to 400 asylum-seekers on former Army lands at Meelick, Co Clare, under emergency planning legislation.
It is the first centre of its kind to be built under the Department of Justice's schedule to house 4,000 asylum-seekers in prefabricated buildings around the State.
The former Knockalisheen Army camp at one time housed Hungarian refugees. It later became FCA headquarters for the 22nd Infantry Battalion, but the Department of Defence has now handed over 160 acres of the land to the Office of Public Works. Development of the site should be completed by the summer. There has been disquiet in the village, which has one pub and one shop, over the lack of information on the scheme. Cllr Patrick O'Gorman said the council was awaiting a reply from the Department on the numbers to be housed. Residents were concerned about the lack of schooling and transport in the area. "The people of Meelick think 400 would be too much for such a rural setting," he said. "They are prepared to take their fair share." A Department spokesman said the Directorate of Asylum Support Services would contact local schools and examine the transport issue. Tenders would be sought for a company to provide meals, do laundry and carry out other services.
