The Department of Justice has published its latest Weekly Accommodation and Arrivals Statistics report (week ending 1 February 2026), confirming that more than 104,000 individuals are now in State-provided accommodation under the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). The update—released on 6 February—highlights occupancy rates exceeding 96 % across dedicated centres, hotels and emergency facilities. (gov.ie)
According to the data, average weekly arrivals stand at 730, a slight uptick on the January trend, while move-on rates from accommodation remain sluggish. The Government recently allocated an extra €300 million to convert disused properties into longer-term centres, but officials admit the programme will not alleviate short-term crowding before the summer peak.
![Weekly IPAS report shows continued pressure on Ireland’s asylum accommodation system]()
While State resources remain stretched, third-party support can lighten the load for both applicants and sponsoring employers. VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers step-by-step guidance on entry visas, residence-permit renewals and document legalisation, giving newcomers a single dashboard to track requirements and deadlines. That kind of clarity can reduce errors and keep onboarding timelines on course even when accommodation bottlenecks persist.
For global mobility practitioners the figures matter because delays in assigning accommodation also slow down Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) issuance and permission renewals, both prerequisites for lawful employment. Employers that sponsor refugees under the Temporary Protection Directive must factor in longer onboarding timelines and may need to offer remote-work options until housing becomes available.
The publication of granular weekly data is part of a transparency drive after criticism from local authorities that emergency centres were opened without consultation. Analysts say the sustained pressure underlines the importance of forthcoming reforms to direct-provision replacement schemes, expected in a White Paper later this quarter.
According to the data, average weekly arrivals stand at 730, a slight uptick on the January trend, while move-on rates from accommodation remain sluggish. The Government recently allocated an extra €300 million to convert disused properties into longer-term centres, but officials admit the programme will not alleviate short-term crowding before the summer peak.
While State resources remain stretched, third-party support can lighten the load for both applicants and sponsoring employers. VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers step-by-step guidance on entry visas, residence-permit renewals and document legalisation, giving newcomers a single dashboard to track requirements and deadlines. That kind of clarity can reduce errors and keep onboarding timelines on course even when accommodation bottlenecks persist.
For global mobility practitioners the figures matter because delays in assigning accommodation also slow down Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) issuance and permission renewals, both prerequisites for lawful employment. Employers that sponsor refugees under the Temporary Protection Directive must factor in longer onboarding timelines and may need to offer remote-work options until housing becomes available.
The publication of granular weekly data is part of a transparency drive after criticism from local authorities that emergency centres were opened without consultation. Analysts say the sustained pressure underlines the importance of forthcoming reforms to direct-provision replacement schemes, expected in a White Paper later this quarter.
