Spending on international protection accommodation in Mayo revealed in new figures
The total amount spent on accommodation for those seeking international protection in County Mayo over the past two years is €77 million.
The figures released by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Across Ireland, the State is currently accommodating approximately 33,000 people across 310 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres.
The approximate amount spent in Mayo on accommodation for those in need of international protection in 2024 and 2025 is €77.7m.
The Department has stated that approximately €34.9 million was spent in 2024 and €42.8 million in 2025.
The 2025 figure is currently provisional, pending completion of the Appropriation Accounts for the year.
The Department explained that, as is required by law, Ireland has “at all times endeavoured to provide accommodation and other basic supports to people seeking international protection”.
“In terms of international protection applicants, significant reform is underway to speed up the processing system, achieve improved value for money for the State and reduce the demand for accommodation,
“That includes moving away consistently, over time, from the degree of reliance on commercial accommodation and putting in place more facilities on State-owned sites,” the Department said.
The figures were released in response to a query from Mayo TD Paul Lawless. He had originally requested a breakdown of expenditure in County Mayo over the past decade.
However, as accommodation providers and payment details are not recorded by county, this breakdown was not available.
A national breakdown of spending on IPAS accommodation, including both commercial and State-owned facilities, was provided as follows:
The Department confirmed that the 2026 spending allocation for accommodation and supports has been reduced to €1.1 billion.
Responding to the figures, Deputy Lawless said: “The international protection accommodation system is not fit for purpose, and its dysfunction is costing the taxpayer heavily,
“The government is paying huge sums into the hands of private, wealthy industrial-style landlords, for temporary accommodation.”
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.