The Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth has activated a 24-hour toll-free helpline for people seeking international protection who are unable to access accommodation at the Citywest transit hub during the holiday period. The hotline went live on 3 December 2025 after the hub announced it would pause new admissions from 23 December to 2 January to relieve overcrowding.
Call-centre staff will assign arrivals to alternative accommodation or, if beds are unavailable, trigger a contingency plan that may include temporary shelter vouchers. Separate arrangements have been pledged for Ukrainian refugees expected to arrive between 23–27 December and 1–2 January.
![24-hour hotline set up as Citywest hub pauses new asylum arrivals over Christmas]()
Government sources told RTÉ that officials are “doing everything we can to avoid a situation where people are going without accommodation,” yet conceded that shortages have occurred twice this year already. NGOs warn that closing Citywest, even briefly, risks leaving families on the streets during winter unless hotel contracts are extended.
The measure underscores the strain on Ireland’s reception capacity as average daily asylum arrivals hover around 50, well above pre-pandemic norms. Employers sponsoring humanitarian-based work permits—or relocating staff who happen to be protection applicants—should advise newcomers to phone the helpline before travelling and to secure written confirmation of lodging.
Authorities say the helpline will remain active until normal operations resume at Citywest in early January, with performance data to be published afterwards.
Call-centre staff will assign arrivals to alternative accommodation or, if beds are unavailable, trigger a contingency plan that may include temporary shelter vouchers. Separate arrangements have been pledged for Ukrainian refugees expected to arrive between 23–27 December and 1–2 January.
Government sources told RTÉ that officials are “doing everything we can to avoid a situation where people are going without accommodation,” yet conceded that shortages have occurred twice this year already. NGOs warn that closing Citywest, even briefly, risks leaving families on the streets during winter unless hotel contracts are extended.
The measure underscores the strain on Ireland’s reception capacity as average daily asylum arrivals hover around 50, well above pre-pandemic norms. Employers sponsoring humanitarian-based work permits—or relocating staff who happen to be protection applicants—should advise newcomers to phone the helpline before travelling and to secure written confirmation of lodging.
Authorities say the helpline will remain active until normal operations resume at Citywest in early January, with performance data to be published afterwards.
