Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed that Ireland will adopt a new ‘contribution’ model for International Protection Applicants (IPAs) who are in paid employment. Under proposals circulated to Cabinet on 1 December 2025, asylum seekers earning above a yet-to-be-set threshold will pay between 10 % and 40 % of their weekly wages towards the cost of their State-provided housing and meals.
Ireland allows IPAs to work after six months in the country, and around 2,700 applicants currently hold employment permits in sectors such as hospitality, food processing and logistics. The Government argues that asking those in stable jobs to co-pay accommodation is ‘‘common sense’’ and will ease pressure on the €1.5 billion Direct Provision budget.
![Government to Charge Working Asylum Seekers up to 40 % of Wages for State Accommodation]()
Business groups broadly support the change, noting that employers have struggled to recruit entry-level staff and view international protection applicants as an important talent pool. However, NGOs warn the deductions could push low-wage workers below the poverty line and jeopardise integration. The Irish Refugee Council says the measure ‘‘effectively taxes asylum’’ and may discourage up-skilling.
Practically, payroll departments will be expected to withhold the contribution and remit it to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Mobility advisers should prepare assignees who are IPAs or who supervise IPA colleagues for deductions starting in the first quarter of 2026. Companies providing top-up accommodation allowances will need to clarify whether those payments are also liable.
The initiative is part of a broader policy reset aimed at reducing annual asylum applications to below 10,000 by 2027. Other forthcoming reforms include fast-track processing for manifestly unfounded claims and expanded returns agreements with safe third countries. With local elections due in June 2026, the Government is under electoral pressure to demonstrate tighter immigration controls while retaining access to international labour.
Ireland allows IPAs to work after six months in the country, and around 2,700 applicants currently hold employment permits in sectors such as hospitality, food processing and logistics. The Government argues that asking those in stable jobs to co-pay accommodation is ‘‘common sense’’ and will ease pressure on the €1.5 billion Direct Provision budget.
Business groups broadly support the change, noting that employers have struggled to recruit entry-level staff and view international protection applicants as an important talent pool. However, NGOs warn the deductions could push low-wage workers below the poverty line and jeopardise integration. The Irish Refugee Council says the measure ‘‘effectively taxes asylum’’ and may discourage up-skilling.
Practically, payroll departments will be expected to withhold the contribution and remit it to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Mobility advisers should prepare assignees who are IPAs or who supervise IPA colleagues for deductions starting in the first quarter of 2026. Companies providing top-up accommodation allowances will need to clarify whether those payments are also liable.
The initiative is part of a broader policy reset aimed at reducing annual asylum applications to below 10,000 by 2027. Other forthcoming reforms include fast-track processing for manifestly unfounded claims and expanded returns agreements with safe third countries. With local elections due in June 2026, the Government is under electoral pressure to demonstrate tighter immigration controls while retaining access to international labour.
