The Rowan Tree Hostel and Restaurant will not be turned into a Direct Provision centre.
Speculation had circulated around Ennis in the past week that the popular restaurant which closed three weeks ago was to be utilised as a Direct Provision centre.
A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth confirmed to The Clare Echo, “The Department has no plans to make use of The Rowan Tree in Ennis”.
“The Department intends to publish a tender on eTenders shortly for the provision of accommodation services for International Protection applicants,” the spokesperson added.
Clare currently has DP centres in Ennis, Knockalisheen and Lisdoonvarna. Last year, Clare had the fourth highest amount of applications for asylum behind Cork, Meath and Kerry.
