The Irish Exchequer spent a record €1.2 billion housing international-protection applicants in 2025, according to figures released by the Department of Justice and reported by RTÉ on 1 February 2026. The spend—equivalent to €3.29 million every day—represents a 19 per cent rise on the €1.005 billion paid out in 2024 even though new asylum applications fell by almost 30 per cent last year (18,500 in 2024 versus 13,160 in 2025).
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan told RTÉ that the outlay covered accommodation, transport, utilities and support services across 312 centres run under the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). Some 33,241 people, including 9,700 children, are currently housed in these centres. The top four nationalities seeking asylum in 2025 were Somalia (2,021), Nigeria (1,940), Pakistan (1,680) and Afghanistan (1,290).
![State accommodation bill for asylum seekers hit €1.2 billion in 2025, up 19% despite fall in new claims]()
In response to ballooning costs, the minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to overhauling the asylum process through the forthcoming International Protection Bill 2026, which aims to align Irish procedures with the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact and cut initial decision times to three months. Officials argue that faster decisions should reduce the need for emergency hotel contracts and the expensive use of private providers.
For employers, the figures underline the political pressure on Government to demonstrate that the asylum system is both humane and cost-effective. Business groups have cautiously welcomed proposals for quicker processing times, noting that prolonged stays in emergency accommodation fuel public concern about migration and risk a more restrictive policy environment for work permits and business travel. Companies relocating staff to Ireland are advised to keep abreast of local sentiment and to factor possible protests or policy tweaks into assignment planning.
On a practical level, mobility managers should continue to warn incoming non-EEA assignees that securing long-term rental accommodation remains challenging. With the State committing billions to emergency housing, the already-tight private rental market is likely to stay under pressure through 2026, particularly in Dublin and other large urban centres.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan told RTÉ that the outlay covered accommodation, transport, utilities and support services across 312 centres run under the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). Some 33,241 people, including 9,700 children, are currently housed in these centres. The top four nationalities seeking asylum in 2025 were Somalia (2,021), Nigeria (1,940), Pakistan (1,680) and Afghanistan (1,290).
In response to ballooning costs, the minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to overhauling the asylum process through the forthcoming International Protection Bill 2026, which aims to align Irish procedures with the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact and cut initial decision times to three months. Officials argue that faster decisions should reduce the need for emergency hotel contracts and the expensive use of private providers.
For employers, the figures underline the political pressure on Government to demonstrate that the asylum system is both humane and cost-effective. Business groups have cautiously welcomed proposals for quicker processing times, noting that prolonged stays in emergency accommodation fuel public concern about migration and risk a more restrictive policy environment for work permits and business travel. Companies relocating staff to Ireland are advised to keep abreast of local sentiment and to factor possible protests or policy tweaks into assignment planning.
On a practical level, mobility managers should continue to warn incoming non-EEA assignees that securing long-term rental accommodation remains challenging. With the State committing billions to emergency housing, the already-tight private rental market is likely to stay under pressure through 2026, particularly in Dublin and other large urban centres.
Source: RTÉ News
