Families seeking asylum rather than men are to be housed at a property in Carlow, the Department of Integration has confirmed.
It comes after local representatives had been told yesterday that 50 men would be accommodated at the former Capuchin friary on Dublin Street in Carlow town.
However, a Department of Integration spokesperson said a decision was taken last night to house families there instead due to a severe shortage of accommodation.
The spokesperson said: "Despite the ongoing acute shortage of accommodation for single males, it has been decided that the requirement to prioritise families must take precedence".
They added that there was a "nationwide urgent situation" and that emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country to try and alleviate the pressure.
"There have been over 190 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties," the statement said.
"These options must be considered to prevent homelessness for people with their families and children arriving seeking international protection."
'Handled very clumsily'
A small number of protesters had been present outside the building today.
Carlow Fine Gael Councillor Fergal Browne said there had been a lot of speculation in the town as to what was going to happen with the building after the Capuchin Fathers moved out in 2022 and it was sold last year.
"I asked officials in the December council meeting if there was any indication of what was going to happen and they had no idea," he said.
"I think it has been handled very clumsily. Its ironic the Department of Integration call it community engagement but there was no community engagement.
"Being told on a Tuesday that a group is coming on the Friday isn't helpful and it causes mistrust."
The councillor believes there is a lot of concern locally in relation to a large number of males moving into the area and that there is a lack of facilities for new people moving into the town.
"I'd also emailed the department about medical backup, because its very hard to get an appointment in Carlow town especially for new people trying to secure a GP," Cllr Browne said.
"As a school principal I also recognise the lack of services for children with complex needs, its shocking.
"People from other countries may have children with major learning needs and the facilities just aren't there."
A briefing for public representatives with the Department of Integration is due to be held tomorrow.
"We need to discuss what happened to the original proposal, when was it agreed, because it didn't happen overnight," Cllr Browne said.
"Why did they change their minds and what are their future plans for how many more refugees and what buildings are going to be used?
"St Brigid's has also been renovated, speculation that that may house Ukraine refugees but nothing has been confirmed."
Additional reporting by Gail Conway
