The disproportionately high number of asylum seekers being housed in emergency accommodation in Co Monaghan was highlighted this week by Independent member of Monaghan Co Council Paudge Connolly. Department of Justice statistics supplied to the Northern Standard by Councillor Connolly disclose that Co Monaghan has 280 asylum seekers in the St Patrick’s Direct Provision Centre in Monaghan Town and another 207 people in emergency accommodation at various locations in the county.
Of the ten least populated counties in Ireland, Co Monaghan has the highest total of asylum seekers although the number accounts for less than 0.8% of the county’s population, the Department information notes. Co Cavan, which has no Direct Provision centre, has 40 people in emergency accommodation. Co Westmeath has the highest number of asylum seekers in Direct Provision of the ten counties (425) but no one in emergency accommodation.
Counties Longford, Carlow, Roscommon, Sligo and Laois also have no asylum seekers in emergency accommodation. Next to Co Monaghan, Offaly has the second highest number…
