“An atrocious waste of money” says TD as €80 million spent on migrant accommodation in Mayo over two years

Nearly €80 million has been spent on accommodation for people seeking international protection in Co Mayo over a two-year period, according to figures released to local TD Paul Lawless.

The data, covering 2024 and 2025, shows approximately €34.9 million was spent in 2024 and €42.8 million in 2025, bringing the total to just under €80 million.

Deputy Lawless described the figure as “eye-watering” and criticised the current system, which is operated through the State’s International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).

“This is an enormous amount of taxpayers’ money being spent on temporary accommodation,” he said. “The system is not fit for purpose and is costing the public heavily.”

He argued that the money could have been better used to build permanent housing in the county, suggesting the total spent could have funded the construction of hundreds of homes.

“This is money we will never see again,” he said. “Instead of paying private providers for short-term accommodation, the State should be investing in housing that becomes a long-term public asset.”

READ MORE: Gaeltacht scholarships open for Mayo students from First to Fifth year

Deputy Lawless also raised concerns about the operation of the asylum system, calling for reforms to ensure it is “fair and just” and focused on those genuinely in need of protection.

The figures were provided in response to a parliamentary question to the Department of Justice, which noted that accommodation for international protection applicants is managed at a national level and that county-by-county breakdowns are not routinely compiled.

However, approximate costs for Mayo were drawn from available records for the past two years.

Nationally, spending on IPAS accommodation has risen significantly in recent years, reaching €1.2 billion in 2025, up from €1.05 billion in 2024. Over the past decade, total expenditure has amounted to around €4 billion.

In its response, the Government said reforms are underway to improve the system, reduce costs and move away from reliance on commercial accommodation.

Measures include increasing the use of State-owned facilities, reviewing contracts with providers, and introducing a new rate model, which has already delivered savings of approximately €83 million since mid-2025.

READ MORE: Work on age-friendly apartments at west Mayo convent site to start in May

The Government also said efforts are ongoing to speed up the processing of international protection applications, which is expected to reduce demand for accommodation over time.

The issue remains a subject of political debate, with differing views on how best to balance humanitarian obligations with cost and capacity pressures.