The average daily cost of accommodating asylum seekers in Ireland has increased by nearly 50% since 2022, rising from €57 to €84 per person, according to new Department of Integration figures.
Currently, almost 33,000 international protection applicants are housed across Ireland, including approximately 9,000 children with their families. This cost increase comes as the budget for housing Ukrainian refugees sees a significant reduction, dropping from €1.1 billion in 2023 to €456 million in 2024.
The Department attributes the declining Ukrainian accommodation needs to people either moving out of state-supported housing or leaving Ireland. However, this has led to challenges, with many Ukrainians recently facing short-notice evictions, particularly from student accommodation centers.
According to The Irish Examiner, the increasing costs for asylum seeker accommodation are attributed to fluctuating resident numbers and changes in accommodation centers. The Department notes Ireland has experienced a sharp rise in international protection applications since 2022.
Recent controversies have emerged, including a paused decision to relocate 400 Ukrainians from Youghal’s Quality Hotel to make space for international protection applicants, which faced local opposition.