There are almost 300 asylum seekers living in direct provision centres in Kerry.
That’s according to figures obtained by Newstalk under a Freedom of Information request.
New figures show there are 298 asylum seekers and refugees living in six direct-provision centres in Kerry.
There are 129 people living in three direct provision centres in Killarney.
128 people are living in two such centres in Tralee and 41 asylum seekers are living in the Atlantic Lodge centre in Kenmare.
The figures were revealed following a Freedom of Information Request by Newstalk.
Nationally there are 5,275 asylum-seekers and refugees living in 46 direct-provision centres.
It cost the state €175 million to run the centres last year.
The government is committed to abolishing the direct provision system - with all centres due to close by 2024.
