New asylum seeker housing in use in Athlone

Apartments which were previously occupied by students in the Willow Park area of Athlone are now being used to accommodate asylum seekers on a six-month basis.

The new asylum seeker accommodation has been in use for a number of weeks now and is being occupied by around 90 single people, couples and families.

A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth confirmed the arrangement on Monday, in response to a query from the Westmeath Independent.

"International Protection Accommodation Services has contracted temporary accommodation facilities at Kilmacaugh Avenue, Athlone, Co. Westmeath for international protection applicants on a 6 month basis from mid-May 2022," said a Department spokesperson.

"As of June 12, 2022, occupancy stood at approximately 90 persons. This consists of singles, couples and families."

Follow-up queries which this newspaper sent to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth about the accommodation had not yet received a response at the time of writing.