RTÉ has learned that 242 asylum seekers, deemed vulnerable to Covid-19 and who require "cocooning", are being moved to new accommodation in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
Yesterday it was announced that 650 additional beds had been secured in response to the crisis. Most of those identified in the first group to be relocated are moving in the coming days, although some have been relocated already.
114 asylum seekers are moving to a hotel in Dublin, 64 will be relocated to a hotel in Galway and a further 64 will be relocated to a hotel in Cork.
As of 5 March there were more than 7,000 asylum seekers living in Direct Provision Centres and emergency accommodation. CEO of the Irish Refugee Council Nick Henderson said that he welcomed "the clear