The Government has spent €1.3 billion to accommodate asylum seekers since 2022. 

The Government spent €356.554 million in 2022, €651.713 million in 2023 and €318 million has been spent so far this year to house 30,000 asylum seekers. 

Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman said in Dáil questions on Wednesday these figures include accommodation costs such as “transport, facilities management and other related expenditure”. 

According to the Minister, Ireland is housing over 102,000 people in state-supported accommodation. 

These figures were released to Independent TD Michael McNamara.

A general view of the Mosney Direct Provision centre in Co Meath. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire

He told Newstalk these costs will continue to increase until Government decision-making to accept or reject asylum seekers speeds up. 

“Unless the decisions are being issued at the same rate applications are coming in, there are going to be more and more people who need to be accommodated,” he said. 

“Spending is increasing because accommodation is increasingly short supply, so it’s a provider’s market. 

“Yes, an increasing number of people are coming here, but that’s all the more reason to resource the decision-making process to make sure you are issuing decisions at the same rate applications are coming in.” 

Accommodating asylum seekers

The Department of Integration said the increase in spending is because of an “unprecedented” increase in applicants for international protection. 

Deputy McNamara said the department has “little control over spending” on asylum seekers. 

“They're just shovelling out money and making millionaires of property owners,” he said. 

“Unless the Government ensures decision making is being made a [faster] rate, the numbers being accommodated will grow, the demand will grow, and the providers are aware of that and will take advantage of that in a free market economy. 

“We are making millionaires of a small number of people because of the Government’s in ability to plan for this.” 

According to the Department of Integration, the average cost of accommodating an asylum seeker in 2023 was €78.60 per night.