A Thurles Councillor claims some people are turning accommodating asylum seekers into a business.
Independent Micheál Lowry has made the comments in the wake of the concerns in the area in recent days following the news that there were plans to house up to 80 asylum seekers in a former furniture store on Mitchel Street in the town.
The owner of the site has now withdrawn the offer to become an IPAS centre saying they will explore alternative uses for the building.
On Tipp Today earlier Councillor Lowry said housing International Protection Applicants has become an industry.
“The new Minister needs to tackle that issue now. Tighten it up and ensure that the schemes that are being put forward are being used for the purpose that they were intended. Not allowing certain individuals to monopolise – essentially they’re turning it into an industry for themselves. We’ve all heard stories and I’ve heard stories of people out actively almost farming to get people from Europe to come to Ireland so they can be put up.”
