Kerry County Council will write to the government requesting that tourist accommodation no longer be used to house refugees and asylum seekers.
It follows a motion at the recent full council meeting, from Independent councillor for the Killarney Municipal District, Maura Healy-Rae.
Cllr Healy-Rae raised the motion claiming the government policy of housing refugees and asylum seekers in tourist accommodation has had devastating consequences in the county.
She said the approach is inappropriate for those seeking accommodation and adversely affects the local economy.
Adding with less visitors to Kerry, businesses have experienced less footfall and in some instances businesses have been forced to close.
Cllr Healy-Rae says the government proposed purpose built accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers, long before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – and to date, nothing has been done.
She believes the continued use of tourist accommodation will decimate the industry and local economy.
Adding frustration is rising amongst business owners and rate reductions would have to be considered in affected locations.
The motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor for the Kenmare MD, John Francis Flynn.
