Human rights watchdog raises fears over direct provision residents amid rising Covid clusters

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has written to the minister to voice concerns about the ability of direct provision residents to protect themselves in direct provision centres. File Picture: Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD at Government Buildings, Dublin earlier this year.Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Pressure is growing on the justice minister to detail the measures in place to protect the residents of direct provision amid a resurgence in cases of Covid-19.

The Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has written to Minister for Justice and Equality Helen McEntee to voice its “ongoing concerns” about the ability of residents to protect themselves in the shared accommodation centres, where a number of Covid-19 clusters have been identified.