€5BN bill for asylum beds
PROJECTED GOVT CENTRES COSTS
IT COULD cost the Government over €5 billion to establish State-owned accommodation centres for asylum seekers.
The Cabinet signed off on plans last week from Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman to move away from the reliance on private accommodation to centres owned by the State.
It is envisaged that 14,000 beds in between 20 and 30 centres will be opened before 2028.
The Irish Times reported yesterday Ministers were told supplying 10,000 beds for asylum seekers over 20 years could cost up to €5bn.
Save
However, it also reported that this could also save the Government “billions” as they will no longer be relying on private accommodation.
The Star reported last week that the cost of accommodation for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) in 2023 came to over €640 million.
This figure was up from €356.6m in 2022. A White Paper on ending Direct Provision, published by the Government in 2021, stated that it could cost the State between €446m and €672m.
However, the paper suggested just six reception and integration centres would be required.
It also contained detailed information on costings and how much it would be to abolish Direct Provision and also the figures for building the new reception centres.
There were no costs provided in the new document launched last week by the Minister.
Last week as he unveiled the plans, Mr O’Gorman refused to answer several questions about how much his plan to build 14,000 beds over the next five years would cost.
Market
He told The Star: “The reality is that as I give a figure… We’ll be going out to the market to build and also to buy. As soon as I give a figure, the price is going to rise to match that.”
He added: “It’s really important for us to be able to secure value for money for the State in terms of the process we’re taking.”
He later argued that other projects have shown that, as soon as prices are mentioned, when tenders are issued the prices often rise to match the tender amount.