Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On direct provision, I am conscious that the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, is present and I am anxious to facilitate his contribution in respect of Cahersiveen. The premises there was offered to my Department last September and assessed by senior officials at the time. In early March, during the early stages of the pandemic, it was deemed appropriate to move residents there from several Dublin hotels, all of which were being used on a temporary basis, including the hotel mentioned by Deputy Catherine Murphy. Those premises were not being used exclusively by the Department and it was our considered opinion that there was a potential public health risk. As such, it was decided to move the residents to Cahersiveen. I wish to be clear that no resident was awaiting a test or test results at the time of the transfer. Neither I nor anybody else in the Department of Justice and Equality was aware of any guest at any of the source hotels having or being suspected of having the virus at the time the move was planned or implemented. I am happy to provide further detail in writing for the Deputy. She has raised the issue on several occasions and we have been in correspondence with her. I am happy to engage on any specific issue on which she seeks a reply.

I ask the Minister of State to add to my comments with particular reference to Cahersiveen.

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