LAST UPDATE | 4 Dec 2023

THE STATE HAS run out of accommodation for international protection applicants after a number of warnings from the Integration Minister that the supply was about to run out.

A proposal is on the table to give asylum seekers who cannot get accommodation a weekly payment of €75.

Government sources said tonight that as of tonight the amount had not been signed off on but it’s understood that a memo is likely to go to cabinet where further discussions are expected.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that the Government is “very, very concerned” about the lack of accommodation available for asylum seekers and will do everything it can to see people housed. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth confirmed that the State is no longer able to accommodate everyone who arrives into Ireland seeking asylum. 

It is understood that families and individuals who are deemed most vulnerable will be prioritised to receive some form of accommodation.

It is also understood that everyone who applied for accommodation last night, through the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), were housed.

The statement said: “Currently this Department has agreements with two charities to provide these services in Dublin in the event that they are needed.

“All unaccommodated IP applicants will be provided with the contact details for IPAS and with information on accessing health and other public services in Ireland,”

The Department will work with the HSE to ensure that health services are provided to all those in need.

All those who present to the International Protection Office (IPO) during an unaccommodated period will be assessed by IPAS and HSE staff for significant vulnerabilities and health issues, and prioritised for accommodation as necessary.

‘An extremely regrettable position’

Speaking at an event in Dublin on Sunday, Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman said it was “likely” that “in the next number of days” the state would run out of accommodation.

O’Gorman added the department are working to accommodate families as a priority, “but when we are in a position – an extremely regrettable position – that we aren’t accommodating everybody will make those contingency measures”.

The minister detailed that the €30 weekly living expenses, given to applicants, will “need to be increased” and steps to identify particularly vulnerable applicants who could end up sleeping rough will be taken with gardaí and homeless charities.

However, O’Gorman said the Department will continue to prioritise accommodating families.

“It will probably be male applicants without families who will be left unaccommodated,” he added.

A number of warnings came before the confirmation today including one last week, to Cabinet, where it was revealed the state had accepted over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants (IPAs).

‘Very challenging’

Speaking on the situation today, Micheál Martin said: “Obviously we’re very, very concerned about that and we will do everything we possibly can to avoid it.”

Martin said ministers will also consider proposals that would see unaccommodated IP applicants get enhanced allowance payments.

The Tanaiste said the accommodation situation is “challenging”, adding that those claiming the Government could have foreseen the issue are adopting a “too simplistic” approach.

“The situation is challenging,” he said.

“We have about 100,000 Ukrainians, 70,000-odd of which we are accommodating via the state and about 26,000 international protection asylum seekers.

“I think it’s a reflection of significant instability across the world where pressure is growing and continues to grow because of war and conflict, particularly in Ukraine but also the Middle East.

“As you know, I am back from Jordan and Egypt in recent times. The amount of migration that they have experienced because of the war in Syria and because of instability in Palestine itself all points to a very difficult scenario.

“So domestically here then, we have to do everything we possibly can to provide accommodation under our international legal obligations. And we will continue to do that and Government will be meeting this week again to assess the situation.”

He added: “It’s not just in Ireland. This is happening across Europe, is happening across the United States.”

- Additional reporting from PA.