Asylum Seekers

Thursday, 22 February 2024

Questions (262)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

262. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average rate being paid to accommodate asylum seekers, Ukrainians and residents in direct provision in hospitality and separately in other accommodation venues in Ireland currently; the highest rate being paid in each of these location types; and the total spend to accommodate asylum seekers in Ireland for each of the past five years. [8511/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As at 11th February 2024, there are over 27,000 International Protection (IP) applicant’s accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation system as a whole.

The average cost of accommodating an IP applicant in IPAS accommodation is currently €76.80 per night.

Please see, in tabular format, the total spend of IPAS accommodation, for the last five years respectively.

Year	Expenditure	Residents in IPAS Accommodation at year end	Average yearly cost per resident
2018	€77,993,000	6,106	€12,773
2019	€129,408,000	7,683	€16,843
2020	€183,215,000	6,997	€26,185
2021	€190,856,000	7,244	€26,347
2022	€356,554,000	19,202	€18,569
2023	€640,064,470	26,279	€24,356

I am advised by my officials that in respect of Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs), the average cost of accommodation across all commercially contracted settings, whether catered or self-catering, is estimated at €44.73 per person per night. I am further advised that the highest average cost per person per night is €88.29.

The total spend to date for BOTPs from the outset of the crisis in 2022 to 19th February 2024 is €2,156,406,683.67. This figure is provisional and subject to final confirmation. The cost includes all accommodation and related costs, including transport, facilities management and other related expenditure.