Laois Offaly TD gets spending details on Ukrainian and asylum seeker accommodation

Ireland has spent more than €500 million on providing a safe refuge for Ukrainians fleeing Russia while more than €350 million went into paying for International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation in 2022.

They are the details revealed to Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan in response to two Dáil questions which also shows that over €1 billion has been spent providing temporary homes to asylum seekers in Ireland since 2016.

The independent TD was given a reply to the Ukrainian costs on November 14. She asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) for the total costs arising from refugees from Ukraine in 2022. She sought details on accommodation, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs.

Minister Roderic O'Gorman replied in writing to aspects of the question.

"I am advised by my officials that the total expenditure in 2022 by my Department on the Ukraine crisis since the Russian invasion in February 2022 is €522 m. Of this, approx. €430m was on DCEDIY-provided accommodation alone. Further costs included the operation of the CityWest transport hub, Local Authority accommodation, pledged supports, transport, facilities management and staff costs. Staffing costs for DCEDIY’s Ukraine Division in 2022 was approximately €1.8m.

"While my Department holds responsibility for the provision of immediate temporary accommodation, other Departments and Agencies are also involved in the whole of government response to this crisis which is coordinated by the Department of Taoiseach. The Deputy might address the matters relating to the assistance of payments and health benefits to the relevant Departments," he said.

Dep Nolan also asked for the total costs of maintaining all asylum seekers in Ireland, excluding those from Ukraine, in each year from 2016 to 2022. She sought the cost of accommodation, allowances, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs.

Minister O'Gorman again replied in writing with detail in tabular form.

"The total spend on International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation in 2022 was €356,554,000. There were 19,202 people in IPAS accommodation on 31 December 2022. At a year-end average of overall cost divided by the number of people residing in IPAS accommodation, the average annual figure for keeping an international protection applicant (IPA) in IPAS accommodation for one year was €18,568.59," he said.

Dep Nolan was provided with the table below with the costs associated from 2016 to 2022 in housing people in Direct Provision or other accomodation.

The Minister said that the number in IPAS accommodation varies daily due to new arrivals. He added that 2022 saw a "major increase" with 2023 seeing "similar trends".

He explained that accommodation is provided while an application for international protection is being examined by the International Protection Office. He said healthcare is accessed in the same manner as done by Irish citizens.

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The Minister said a weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person. In 2021 this was increased to €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children. Should an IPA require additional support, he said they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment through social welfare.