An asylum support service drop-in centre, set up by three Christian churches in Killarney six years ago to cope with what was then the new phenomenon of the relocation nationwide of asylum seekers, yesterday moved to a bigger centre.
The move reflected the huge demand for the services provided by the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative (KASI).
Co-ordinator Marilyn Counihan said the organisation intended to focus on helping the many thousands of immigrants who have come to work in Killarney but who have no organisation providing for their needs.
In the past 18 months the profile of asylum seekers in Killarney, where there are three direct provision accommodation centres, had moved from family units to single males, Ms Counihan said.
The centre at New Street was opened by Killarney mayor Tom Doherty. Blessings were performed by the town's three main churches, Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, lay pastor Dr Ed Ritchie of the Methodist Church, and the Rev Dr Margaret Hemphill of the Church of Ireland.
It is funded by the European Refugee Fund and from a number of statutory and non-statutory agencies.
The Reception and Integration Agency in the Department of Justice is inviting tenders for the renewal of contracts for bus services to transport asylum seekers. After a short stay in Dublin newly arrived asylum seekers are relocated to one of 50 accommodation centres and 10 self-catering centres in 23 counties.