State Spend on Accommodation for IP Applicants and Ukrainians Drops by €104 Million in Q1
State spending on commercial accommodation for International Protection applicants and Ukrainians fell by €104 million (26%) to €300 million in Q1 this year. This drop is largely due to reduced costs for Ukrainian accommodation, following new government policies. The State continues to accommodate over 33,000 IP applicants, with several firms receiving millions for these services.
The State spent €300 million on commercial accommodation for International Protection (IP) applicants and Ukrainians in the first quarter of this year (January 1 to March 31), a decrease of €104 million (26%) compared to the €404.23 million spent in the same period last year. This equates to over €3.3 million per day.
The biggest reduction was in accommodation costs for Ukrainians, which halved year-on-year. The Q1 spend for Ukrainians was €61.42 million, down 54% or €73.32 million from €131.74 million last year. This follows a new government policy from November requiring new Ukrainian arrivals to stay in designated accommodation centres for a maximum of 30 days. Cabinet also agreed that most of the 16,000 Ukrainians in State-contracted commercial accommodation must find alternative homes by March 2027, with phased implementation from August.
For IP applicants, Q1 accommodation cost €239.12 million, an 11% or €30.37 million drop from €269.49 million last year. The State currently accommodates over 33,000 IP applicants, including over 9,000 children, across more than 300 centres. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan confirmed 562 High Court judicial reviews by IP applicants against International Protection Appeals Tribunal decisions.
Several firms continue to receive significant payments. Cape Wrath UC, managing the Citywest property for the State after its sale, received €11.16 million for IP applicant accommodation in Q1. Other top recipients include Mosney UC (€9.6 million), Holiday Inn Dublin Airport Skyline View Ltd (€8.4 million), Guestford Ltd (€7.75 million), AllPro Security Services Ltd (€6.6 million), and Bridgestock Care Ltd (€8.5 million for IP applicants and Ukrainians).