More than 650 new beds have been secured for direct provision centres around the country as part of the emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Government says the move will help to facilitate greater social distancing and isolation, where necessary

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan says: "Intensive work has been underway in my department since the emergence of the COVID-19 crisis to ensure that to the best of our ability, we protect the health and welfare of asylum seekers and refugees availing of direct provision services.

"Our officials have now secured over 650 additional beds which will provide valuable additional accommodation to support the measures required for vulnerable residents".

"This is a critical part of our overall strategy to protect our residents.

"At all times, we are guided by the HSE and the National Public Health Emergency Team and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all applicants."

The new accommodation will mostly be located at hotels in Dublin, Galway and Cork.

These Department of Justice says they will "supplement" new mainstream centres which have opened recently in Tullamore, Rosslare Harbour and Caherciveen.

Since the start of the year, over 1,350 beds have been procured which meant older centres could close and move residents from emergency accommodation locations to dedicated centres.

Further measures to assist centre mangers and residents are also at an advanced stage, and will be announced in the coming days.

The department wrote to all residents, centre managers and staff members over the weekend.