Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

The cost of accommodating asylum seekers has ballooned in recent years. It is now ten times the figure in 2019. It cost the State €1.2 billion this year. This is an extortionate cost to the taxpayer. Essentially, the State is paying hotel or accommodation owners a hotel occupancy rate. It has cost the State €4 billion since 2019. The average cost of renting a three-bedroom house is €20,000, yet the average cost of housing an asylum seeker is €33,000 a year.

Wealthy accommodation providers are earning huge sums of money. The Government is making millionaires out of accommodation providers. The Carnbeg Hotel, which is now an IPAS centre, has earned more than €23 million since 2023. When is the Government going to address this issue? There is a huge issue here of value for money for the taxpayer.

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