State’s Spending on International Protection Accommodation Surges Over €1 Billion
The annual State expenditure on accommodating International Protection (IP) applicants crossed the €1 billion threshold for the first time last year, highlighting a significant rise in costs associated with humanitarian duties.
Daily Average Spend Exceeds €2.75 Million
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Norma Foley, revealed that the daily average spend for housing IP applicants is €2.75 million, marking a substantial jump from the previous year. This spending increase is driven by a surge in applicants seeking protection, necessitating a robust response from the State.
Steep Increase in Costs
The figures provided show a 54% increase from the €651.75 million paid out in 2023 to the record €1.005 billion last year. Cumulatively, since the start of 2019, the State has allocated €2.5 billion towards accommodating IP applicants, underscoring the growing burden of these responsibilities over the past five years.
Average Cost per Night on the Rise
According to Minister Foley, the average daily cost of accommodating individual IP applicants in 2024 stands at €84, a 9% increase from €76.80 in 2023. She explained that the average cost per night varies due to factors like the number of residents and the nature of the accommodation centers.
Breakdown of Nationalities in IPAS Accommodation
The most recent figures indicate that Nigerians dominate with 6,914 individuals in IPAS accommodation, followed by Georgians, Algerians, Somalis, and Zimbabweans. Other countries represented include Jordan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa. South Africa, Georgia, and Algeria hold ‘Safe Country’ designations.
Expansion of IPAS Accommodation
Minister Foley highlighted the exponential growth in IPAS accommodations, comparing the figure of 7,000 people at the end of 2021 to almost 33,000 today. Approximately 9,000 of those accommodated are children traveling with their families, underscoring the collective humanitarian effort.
Legal and Ethical Obligations
The provision of accommodation aligns with Irish and EU law and reflects the State’s humanitarian duty to shelter individuals fleeing conflict and persecution. This commitment is vital for maintaining ethics and legal standards on both national and international levels.
Commercial vs. State-Owned Accommodation
Currently, over 90% of IPAS accommodation is hosted commercially, with a small portion provided on State-owned sites. Minister Foley emphasized the goal of transitioning towards a more sustainable system with reduced reliance on commercial providers in the future.
Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme for Ukrainians
Since the start of 2022, the State has paid out €239 million to 22,399 accommodation providers for housing 49,840 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) in response to the EU Temporary Protection Directive. This scheme offers a monthly payment of €800 to those providing non-commercial accommodation to Ukrainians.
Program Details and Distribution
The ARP scheme does not create landlord-tenant relationships and does not confer automatic tenancy rights. Currently, hosts in Dublin accommodate the highest number of BOTPs at 4,518, followed by Cork, Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kildare, and Kerry.
Conclusion
The surge in State spending on international protection accommodation highlights the complex challenges faced by Ireland in addressing the needs of those fleeing conflict. While the costs are rising significantly, the commitment to humanitarian duty remains steadfast, with a focus on developing more sustainable solutions in the near future.
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