James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There were a number of hotels. I know the Department did not purchase them but that is not how the model worked. I am speaking about the IPAS centre operators. Properties in my constituency that had been sold in the preceding decade for under €1 million were sold for over €4 million or €5 million for the purpose in question. The business model for the operators is so lucrative that the taking of such decisions can be afforded. I want a little insight from Mr. McCarthy on how the Department devised the system for payment. How did it make the decision? I have already asked Mr. McCarthy to walk us through how a 100-bed hotel is allocated for use by immigration services. How does the operator make a profit? How does it operate financially?