Nearly 600 jobs in the tourism sector will be displaced in two midlands towns.
The Taoiseach admits Ireland is more reliant on the use of hotels and BnBs to accommodate refugees than other countries.
Nearly 600 jobs and over €20 million in revenue are expected to be displaced in Athlone and Mullingar, due to hotel bed shortages.
Nationally, 10,000 jobs in the tourism sector will be displaced.
Nearly 60%of accommodation in Offaly is also contracted to host refugees and asylum seekers.
But, Leo Varadkar says he'd prefer that, than keeping people in 'containers:'
Hotels are not the solution to accommodating asylum seekers and refugees long-term.
That's according to Head of the Department of Hospitality at TUS, Dr. Emma Reardon, who says alternative accommodation is needed.
Dr. Reardon says the government isn't tackling the core issue:
Pilot Programme For Parents Of Neurodivergent Children Launches In Laois
Midlands Simon Community Receives Major Funding
Emergency Services Call For Safety This Halloween
Midlands Homelessness Figures Continue To Rise
Westmeath Woman Wins Over €45k in Telly Bingo
Offaly Comedian Urges Men To Check For Testicular Cancer
Tánaiste Reviews Infantry Battalion In Westmeath Ahead Of Lebanon Deployment
Laois TD ‘Couldn’t Stomach’ Taoiseach’s Fine Gael Backing
Disruption On Midlands Train Services Expected This Weekend
Man Escapes Injury After Car Fire In Westmeath
Midlands Soldiers Taking Part In Latest Deployment To Lebanon
Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur
Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club