They have concerns over the system.
The Clonakilty Lodge direct provision centre residents are holding a peaceful protest on Tuesday.
David Stanton, Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, visited the centre on Monday but residents reportedly did not get a chance to raise their concerns about the system and their treatment with him.
Speaking to JOE, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Equality said: “The Minister did meet and spoke with residents who were present, others may have been either at work, attending classes or otherwise occupied.
“He also met with a representative of the Friends of the Centre Group. He was not informed that more residents would have liked to have met with him, but would be happy to meet on any future visits.
“In addition, RIA is arranging for a staff member to travel to Clonakilty to ascertain the residents’ concerns. RIA has not been made aware of any specific issues in relation to the accommodation centre.”
Stanton visited the accommodation centre in Clonakilty to get a sense of how the centres are working and was visiting yesterday to see, among other activities, the operation of the new onsite shop, which was recently opened.
MASI – Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland posted footage of the protest on Facebook on Tuesday, with messages such as ‘Why the discrimination?’, ‘Why didn’t you inform the residents?’ and ‘We are depressed’ visible on the doors of the centre.
On their Facebook page, MASI said: “We are in full support of this action. If you are in Cork and surroundings please go show your solidarity to the residents. They had enough of being incarcerated.”
You can watch the video below.
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