Asylum seekers in direct provision centres in Waterford have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19.
According to the Sunday Times, residents in direct provision centres in Cork, Dublin, Wicklow and Galway have also contracted the virus.
Some have been hospitalised with the illness.
There's 43 confirmed cases in Waterford as of midnight on Thursday.
The paper says the Department of Justice is beginning to move people to hotels this weekend to prevent the spread of coronavirus within centres.
More than 650 new beds have been made available in hotels in Cork, Dublin and Galway.
There's fears physically distancing or self-isolation is almost impossible in packed direct provision centres.
Over 5,500 people are in the country's 39 centres, including 1,700 children.
