20 international protection applicants have been moved into accommodation in Kenmare.
The all male group was moved into four apartments in Glanerought housing estate by the Department of Integration on the 17th of October.
Kenmare already has a direct provision centre which can house 98 applicants at capacity.
The number of international protection applicants being accommodated in Kerry has almost doubled in the past year-and-a-half.
Figures given to Radio Kerry by the Department of Integration show there are 652 applicants in Kerry, compared to 380 in February of last year.
In a statement to Radio Kerry about the latest applicants arriving in Kenmare, a spokesperson said the department continues to explore all offers of accommodation for international protection applicants, in as far as it can.
There remains an acute shortfall with respect to accommodation, and the department is working to bring further properties into use to ensure that all those who arrive in Ireland seeking shelter can be accommodated.
While the department acknowledges accommodation capacity may be limited in the area as a result of the current emergency situation, its actions are guided by the need to contract temporary accommodation in order to accommodate people fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking International Protection.
The Government is stepping up action to maximise the pace and scale of delivery on the accommodation strategy for people seeking international protection in Ireland.
This includes an expanded programme of work and the development and use of alternative sites.
However, given the extent of the crisis and elevated number of arrivals, the development of suitable and sufficient alternative accommodation will take time to become available.
