The Department of Justice’s International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) released its latest weekly report on 10 April covering arrivals up to 5 April 2026. The figures underscore the sustained pressure on Ireland’s reception system: 33,110 people now reside in 305 centres nationwide, including almost 9,900 children—an occupancy level five times higher than in 2021. During the reporting week, 177 new applicants entered IPAS accommodation, an average of 25 per day. Nigerians (52 %), Somalis (10 %) and Pakistanis (13 %) represented the largest nationality cohorts, reflecting broader trends seen across the Common European Asylum System. Dublin authorities remain the most heavily burdened, housing over 3,400 individuals, followed by South Dublin County (4,313) when emergency hotel stock is included. IPAS data show occupancy edging close to the system’s practical ceiling; several counties now exceed 1,000 residents. The Government’s medium-term strategy—to move 5,000 people into community integration and to fast-track 1,500 repatriations—faces logistical hurdles as accommodation contracts expire ahead of the summer tourist season. For multinational employers the statistics matter because Ireland’s labour market increasingly draws on protection applicants once they secure the right to work (after six months in the process). HR teams planning large-scale relocations should anticipate local housing shortages and may need to budget for extended temporary accommodation or consider regional office locations outside the most saturated counties.
Source: Department of Justice (Ireland)
