State has paid more than €6.1 million to cover costs at one Wicklow IPAS centre this year
The Wicklow PeopleThe operator of an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre in west Wicklow has received one of the largest portions of State funding so far this year, with new figures showing multi-million euro payments continuing into 2026 as demand for accommodation remains high.
Seefin Events Unlimited Company has already been paid more than €6.1 million in the first six months of the year, far exceeding the allocations made to other providers in the county.
The Department of Justice, which oversees IPAS, confirmed that Seefin received three payments in Q1 totalling just over €3 million, followed by three further payments in Q2 amounting to €3.13 million.
Each payment falls between €952,298.34 and €1,055,438, indicating a consistent monthly billing pattern for the operation of the Kippure Lodge centre. No other provider in Wicklow comes close to this level of State funding.
The Kippure Lodge site remains embroiled in a long-running planning dispute with Wicklow County Council. The local authority initiated legal proceedings after issuing enforcement notices that were not complied with, alleging that 65 houses were constructed on the site without planning permission.
The operators have appealed the council’s refusal of a wastewater infrastructure upgrade, a decision based on concerns about the impact on a recorded monument, potential risks to the River Liffey, and the effect on local amenities and public health. The case is ongoing.
While Seefin dominates the spending figures for 2026, other Wicklow based accommodation providers have also received substantial payments this year, though at significantly lower levels.
Vesta Hotels Limited, which manages the Grand Hotel in Wicklow town, has emerged as the second largest recipient in the county. The company received €243,100 in Q1 for international protection accommodation.
The Grand Hotel in Wicklow town which operates as an IPAS centre.
The latest figures also show major spending on accommodation for Ukrainians in Wicklow. Powertique Limited, which operates the Royal Hotel in Bray, received €1.44 million in Q1 and a further €1.44 million in Q2, bringing its total for the first half of 2026 to €2.88 million.
The company’s invoices range from €123,615 to €485,545, indicating a mix of medium and large capacity accommodation blocks. Woodstone Property AK Ltd, operator of the Wilton Hotel in Bray received eight separate payments across Q1 and Q2 2026, totalling €998,800.
Tiglin Challenge Ltd, which operates several emergency accommodation sites in Wicklow, also features prominently in the spending data. The organisation received €495,135 in Q1 and €512,894 in Q2, a combined €1,008,029 for the first half of the year.
Unlike larger providers, Tiglin’s payments come in smaller, more frequent tranches, reflecting an operational model built around short‑stay, high‑turnover placements.
The shifting demand for Ukraine accommodation is also influencing how facilities are being used. The Avon Hotel in Blessington, previously used to house Ukrainians, is now being used as an IPAS centre.
The Department of Justice confirmed in November 2025 that the facility’s emergency contract has been extended for another 12 months. Arturo Ventures Unlimited, which operates the facility, had been paid €1.34 million by the end of last year.
However, the company is not cited in the latest data from the Department. Officials only issue details of purchase orders with a value of €20,000 or more.