The first asylum-seekers arrived at the Mosney holiday centre in Co Meath yesterday.
It is believed that Mosney owner Mr Phelim McCloskey will receive £15 million for leasing the 300 acres and its facilities to the Department of Justice for the next five years.
The chalets can accommodate up to 500 people and all had storage heating installed in the last month. Each chalet has its own cooking facilities. Meals will be provided in the complex by outside caterers.
"There was very little consultation, it just all came with a bang but that doesn't say they are not entitled to a chance," said a Mosney local.
It is believed a number of local national schools have been contacted about the education needs of the asylum-seekers' children. Some parents are concerned that additional pupils will result in extra demand on already overworked services.
Earlier this week Meath County Council decided to set up a liaison committee to address the needs and concerns of both the asylum-seekers and local residents.
It is expected to be made up of a number of councillors, gardai, health board officials, local community representatives and members of the Directorate of Asylum Support Services.
Meanwhile, a meeting to discuss the role of Mosney in the Community Games took place last night between the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue; the Directorate of Asylum Support Services; the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation; and the ESB Community Games.
The meeting was described as "extremely positive and very cordial" by a spokesman for the Department of Justice.
"The shared objective is to ensure Mosney continues to be used as a site for the Community Games," said the spokesman. The Directorate of Asylum Support Services would meet Community Games officials again to discuss practical matters.
"Considering the level of goodwill and co-operation manifest at the meeting" the Department had every confidence "it will be possible to achieve the objective of holding the games in Mosney", said the spokesman.
The national chairman of the Community Games, Mr Brian MacManus, said he believed all parties could "come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement so the games will go ahead in Mosney in 2001".