LAST UPDATE | 3 Nov

ASYLUM-SEEKERS WHO ARE working in Ireland may have to pay between €15 and €238 a week for their accommodation in Ipas centres under plans approved by the Cabinet sub-committee on migration today.

The measure, which was outlined in the programme for government, will require International Protection applicants to contribute towards their accommodation costs.

The percentage of what a person would pay will depend on earnings. It is expected the contribution amount will go up the more a person earns.

Asylum-seekers are allowed work if they have applied for international protection and if they have been waiting six months for the first decision on your application for asylum.

While the measures were first floated by Tánaiste Simon Harris during the summer, it is understood the new system could take nine to 12 months to implement.

The plan is being brought by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Minister of State for migration Colm Brophy, who will outline to the subcommittee today that 5,000 people who have been granted a legal right to remain in Ireland continue to live in Ipas centres.

The subcommittee is made up of the ministers, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and other line ministers with key responsibilities in the area of migration.

As they have been granted leave to stay in Ireland they are longer considered an international protection applicant. 

The new system will see those that do not pay for their accommodation pursued through debt collection with citizenship denied until all costs are recouped. 

Earlier in the year, the Tánaiste said those that are working and who have the means should be making a contribution towards their board based on a means test. 

He said a contribution model is important for “social cohesion”.

The charging model comes as the head of the Irish Refugee Council, Nick Henderson, said context is important.

“A third of the population in Ipas is children, so children living in or near to poverty, people who are working in, through our experience, are often falling in and out of employment. It tends not to be employment of a long duration.

“There’s also no child benefit for people living in Direct Provision and Ipas accommodation so people are living in very difficult circumstances.

“So as I say, if in long term, appropriate good employment, and they fall above that threshold being stated, then I think people will be happy to contribute. But let’s not forget as well that people are living, particularly children living in or in, sorry, near to or in poverty.”

Ukrainian refugees 

Separately, the subcommittee discussed measures proposed by the Minister for Justice to reduce the time Ukrainian refugees can remain in State accommodation from 90 days to 30.  

O’Callaghan has commented previously on how there has been a rise in numbers coming from Ukraine since it eased travel restrictions to allow men aged 18 to 22 to go abroad. 

In September, the minister told Cabinet of a recent increase in those who have requested Temporary Protection in Ireland since August 2025 and across Europe.

He said a contributing factor is the impact of a new regulation in Ukraine allowing 18 to 22-year-old men to leave the country, stating that it remains to be seen whether it represents a once-off ‘wave’ of people taking an opportunity to travel.

Speaking to RTÉ today, O’Callaghan said “if the numbers keep arriving in the numbers we’ve seen in September and October, we’ll have to start looking for more accommodation”.

“So one of the proposals I’ll be bringing forward is that we reduce the amount of time that we have to provide accommodation to Ukrainian people who come here, at present, it’s 90 days, we’re looking at reducing that,” he said.

“I think it’s important to point out as well that when you look at Ireland in comparison to other EU countries, what we’re offering in terms of accommodation is much more generous at present than other EU countries. So it is something that I think we’re going to have to look at,” said the minister. 

Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD has expressed concern about the plan, stating that there has been no meaningful consultation or assessment of the practical realities on the ground.

“To suggest that Ukrainian refugees could be expected to find alternative accommodation within just 30 days is simply not realistic. Where is the Government’s plan for housing Ukrainian arrivals? They cannot continue to make this up on the hoof,” he said.

“We have been here before with tents along the canal in Dublin. If the Minister does this without any forward planning, then we will end up again with people forced into rough sleeping,” he added.

He called on the minister to urgently clarify his comments, stating that this should not be a rushed policy.

Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy criticised the government for “re-announcing” the measure to charge those working and living in state provided accommodation.

He questioned why there is no immediate introduction of the charge, stating that it points to a “do-nothing government”.

Carthy added that the Minister for Justice must explain why he is not introducing a means test for the Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment given government plans to introduce charges for those in IPAS accommodation. 

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