Refugee body seeks better training

The Irish Refugee Council has called for better staff training in state-funded accommodation centres for asylum seekers.

The call follows revelations that the Government's Reception and Integration Agency is investigating allegations of intimidation and assault against staff in some of the 62 centres across the country.

The Refugee Council said it had also received similar complaints from asylum seekers, many of whom had been incorrectly told that managers at accommodation centres could influence asylum applications.