The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) quietly released its latest weekly capacity bulletin on 24 October, showing that 29,482 international protection (IP) applicants and 75,611 beneficiaries of temporary protection (mostly Ukrainians) were being housed by the State as of 19 October. The total represents a 3 % increase on the previous week and underscores the relentless pressure on hotels and repurposed facilities nationwide.
The bulletin, published on gov.ie, reveals that 86 % of IP applicants are in serviced accommodation—primarily hotels—while only 14 % are in pledged or own-door housing. For employers, the dominance of hotel stock means continued competition with business-travel bookings and rising room rates in regional hubs such as Galway, Cork and Limerick.
IPAS notes that 1,127 additional beds are due to come online over the next six weeks, including modular units in County Meath and the long-delayed refurbishment of a former student residence in Waterford. However, 620 beds will be lost as short-term hotel contracts expire, leaving a net gain of just 507.
Mobility practitioners should plan for ongoing scarcity through Q1 2026. Companies relocating staff to Ireland on critical skills permits may need to secure serviced apartments months in advance or consider hybrid remote arrangements until permanent housing can be found. Relocation vendors report that landlords continue to insist on 12-month minimum leases and advance payment, further complicating moves.
The Department of Integration says it is “in advanced talks” with institutional investors about lease-to-own schemes that could convert vacant office stock into residential units for both migrants and local workers, but no timeline has been published.
The bulletin, published on gov.ie, reveals that 86 % of IP applicants are in serviced accommodation—primarily hotels—while only 14 % are in pledged or own-door housing. For employers, the dominance of hotel stock means continued competition with business-travel bookings and rising room rates in regional hubs such as Galway, Cork and Limerick.
IPAS notes that 1,127 additional beds are due to come online over the next six weeks, including modular units in County Meath and the long-delayed refurbishment of a former student residence in Waterford. However, 620 beds will be lost as short-term hotel contracts expire, leaving a net gain of just 507.
Mobility practitioners should plan for ongoing scarcity through Q1 2026. Companies relocating staff to Ireland on critical skills permits may need to secure serviced apartments months in advance or consider hybrid remote arrangements until permanent housing can be found. Relocation vendors report that landlords continue to insist on 12-month minimum leases and advance payment, further complicating moves.
The Department of Integration says it is “in advanced talks” with institutional investors about lease-to-own schemes that could convert vacant office stock into residential units for both migrants and local workers, but no timeline has been published.
