Housing asylum seekers in student apartments not 'viable' – Higher Education Minister

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said although there is a real need to house asylum seekers, he has a responsibility to students. Picture: Maxwell's

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has pushed back on plans to use Cork student accommodation to house asylum seekers, saying it could "fix one problem but cause another".

The Department of Integration is considering buying a €57m student accommodation complex in Cork for use as a long-term reception centre for asylum seekers.