A hotel in Co Kildare is to act as a reception centre for Syrian refugees from September.
The Department of Justice and the Reception and Integration Agency have confirmed the former Hazel Hotel in Monasterevin will operate as a settlement and processing centre, where up to 70 refugees at any one time will go through orientation.
Once that process has been completed, people will be transferred to one of six other locations around Ireland.
Fianna Fáil TD, Sean O'Fearghail, speaking to Kfm, is critical of the secrecy with has surrounded this development.
"Well I'm disappointed that this has been shrouded in secrecy today, given that the Hazel has been selected now to house asylum seekers," said Deputy O'Fearghail.
"I think it's absolutely essential that there's communication with the schools and also with the health services to ensure that the local community can respond and meet the needs of the people that are going to be brought to Monasterevin by the Department of Justice," he said.