...and the vast private profits for housing refugees rise relentlessly
THE State paid more than €320m to just 10 companies for providing accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees last year, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The multi-million-euro contracts to the top 10 private accommodation providers accounts for around 15% of the €2.13bn the Department of Integration spend on accommodation for those fleeing the war in Ukraine (€1.49bn) and international protection applicants (€640m) in 2023, newly released figures confirm.
Details of the vast sums paid to private companies emerged as members of the Dáil spending watchdog prepare to grill senior Department of Integration officials – including secretary general Kevin McCarthy – next Thursday. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) showdown follows earlier revelations in the MoS about multi-million-euro contracts paid to private providers, some of whom hide their huge profits in offshore tax havens.
An analysis of the first full year figures published by the Department of Integration this week shows Cape Wrath Hotel Unlimited – which operates the reception centre for new arrivals at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin – was paid €71,551,833.67 in 2023, making it the top earner from the lucrative State contracts by some distance. Its directors are James Byrne, Stephen Peat, Damien Gaffney, Michael McElligott and Ciara McElligott. Cape Wrath is ultimately more than halfowned by bodies registered in Guernsey, the Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands.
Brimwood Unlimited Company was the second-highest earner last year, with payments totalling €35,846,997. Its directors are the former Monaghan, Meath and Wexford Gaelic football manager Séamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney and his daughters Sarah McEnaney and Laura McEnaney. The MoS previously revealed a further €50m was paid to 12 other companies belonging to McEneaney family members for similar contracts, across 18 months up to last September.
Guestford Limited, which operates Moran’s Red Cow Hotel in Dublin, was paid contracts totalling €31,907,334.33.
The company is owned by an Irishregistered designated activity company shared by Sheila Moran and Thomas Moran. Its directors are Karen Moran, Thomas Moran (Jnr), Michael Moran and Tracey Moran.
Travelodge Hotels, a British company whose 33 directors are based in the UK, according to Vision-Net, was paid €30,424,394.30 in 2023.
Holiday Inn Dublin Airport was paid the fifth highest in refugee accommodation contracts last year, receiving €27,647,372.25.
Windward Management Limited received €27,534,506 in contracts across 2023. The company is almost entirely owned by Patrick Coyle and its directors are Jean Ryan, Patrick Coyle, Brendan Curtis and Ian McSweeney.
Mosney Unlimited Company received €26,242,129.27 in State contracts last year. The former holiday camp is more than 96%-owned by El Molino Hotels Unlimited Company, which is more than 99%-owned by Sonning Unlimited – registered in the Isle of Man. It is directed by Sarah Gates, Ruth Kierans, Phelim McCloskey and Paul McCloskey
Allpro Security Services Ireland Limited received €26,129,441.15 throughout the year. It is directed by Rachel McHugh and Christopher
Moore, and 50/50 owned by Alan Connolly and Conor Nolan.
Tifco Limited, directed by Enda O’Meara, Brian Campion and Patrick Mabry, was paid €21,859,386.71. It is almost entirely owned – through a succession of Irish-registered companies – by a company registered in Luxembourg. (Pumpkinspice Limited – another company with the same directors and whose ultimate majority ownership can be traced to the same Luxembourg company – was paid €10,604,387.83 in 2023.
Completing the top 10 is Next Week & Co Limited, which was paid €21,835,638.06 in 2023. Its directors are Tony O’Neill and John Crean, who half owns the company through a series of holding companies.