Up to 300 asylum seekers are set to be housed in 40 modular units at Columb Barracks in Mullingar. The Department of Integration has confirmed the units will replace existing tents at the site which are currently accommodating 160 people. It's planned to house a further 160 International Protection applicants at the barracks in the coming months.
Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy said the money would be better spent in bringing existing accommodation at the facility back into use. Speaking to Shannonside News, he said the barracks could then be repurposed for social housing at a later date:
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