State Spending on Asylum Seekers Hits €1.2 Billion in 2025

Government expenditure on asylum seekers has surged to an estimated €1.2 billion in 2025, marking a significant increase of 19 percent from the previous year. This amount translates to an average daily expenditure of about €3.28 million, despite a notable decline in new asylum applications by 29 percent during the same period. These findings were shared by Jim O’Callaghan TD, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, as part of a series of written responses to inquiries from other members of parliament.

The state’s spending on asylum seeker accommodation has risen by €195 million, up from €1.005 billion in 2024. This current figure is nearly double the €651.7 million allocated in 2023. O’Callaghan explained that the increased costs cover various aspects, including transport, facilities management, utilities, and other related expenses associated with housing individuals seeking international protection.

As of the end of 2025, the state was accommodating over 33,000 people in more than 312 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres nationwide. Among these residents, more than 9,700 are children. O’Callaghan emphasized that the provision of adequate reception conditions for those applying for international protection is not only a national responsibility but also mandated under both EU and Irish law.

The number of new asylum applications in 2025 totaled 13,160, a decrease from 18,500 in 2024. O’Callaghan indicated that applicants from Somalia constituted the largest group, with 2,021 individuals, followed by Nigeria with 1,940, Pakistan with 1,680, and Afghanistan with 1,290. The International Protection Office (IPO) processed over 20,200 first decisions in 2025, with an overall refusal rate of 81.39 percent.

O’Callaghan also noted that the average length of stay in IPAS accommodation is currently 24.8 months. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the state in sourcing accommodation for international protection applicants, particularly during the significant influx from 2022 to 2024, where over 45,000 additional applicants arrived. This surge placed considerable pressure on both accommodation supply and application processing times.

To address these ongoing challenges, the minister outlined several measures aimed at reducing the length of stay for asylum seekers. One of the key strategies involves expediting processing times for international protection applications. O’Callaghan pointed out that there is currently a backlog of 453 individuals awaiting accommodation offers from IPAS, down from a peak of 3,500 in March 2025.

O’Callaghan highlighted that the state is making strides towards increasing its own accommodation resources, which he stated are more cost-effective than commercial options. The acquisition of the Citywest facility in 2025 marked a significant milestone, increasing the number of state-owned beds from 900 spaces in 2024 to over 4,000 today. While commercial accommodation will still be necessary in the medium term to meet demand, the Department is actively reviewing and renegotiating existing contracts to achieve better financial terms.

The minister expressed confidence that ongoing reforms within the international protection system are aimed at speeding up application processes and reducing the reliance on expanding accommodation further. These reforms are designed to ensure that the state can respond more effectively to fluctuations in demand while maintaining a focus on vulnerable populations.

In conclusion, the rising costs associated with accommodating asylum seekers reflect both the challenges and commitments faced by the state in fulfilling its legal and humanitarian obligations. As the situation evolves, the government is continuously seeking innovative solutions to improve the system and provide adequate support for those in need.