Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the clarification. That is appreciated. The issue remains about the lack of consultation, including consultation with local general practitioners, GPs, and local schools on the extra supports and resources that may be needed. I would appreciate if the Minister of State could give me the date from which the emergency accommodation started operating. How long the contract is for? How long does the Minister of State expect the hotel to be used by the Department?

I accept what the Minister of State has said about a competition for plans for a new direct provision centre in the mid-east area. However, the mid-east does not include County Laois. It covers Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, as the Minister of State is aware. Will there be another competition within the midlands region? I would appreciate if the Minister of State could come back to me on that point.

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