The Department of Justice has released its latest dashboard on people who have applied for international protection but were not offered accommodation on arrival. As of 9 February 2026, 534 single male applicants remain on the waiting list—down from a peak of more than 3,500 in late 2024. The figures show 12,893 men have presented since December 2023; 11,000 received contingency payments of €113.80 per week, and 10,466 have since been housed or had cases closed. (gov.ie)
The reduced backlog reflects a year-long procurement drive that added 7,200 IPAS beds through repurposed hotels, modular villages and university housing. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the State is now “close to the 15 percent surge capacity target” recommended by the 2025 Accommodation Review. Yet NGOs caution that the headline improvement masks continued pressure: 1,000 new protection applications still arrive every month and the stock of single-occupancy rooms—preferred for safeguarding reasons—remains critically low.
![Only 534 asylum seekers still without beds as State publishes updated IPAS data]()
For employers who routinely place international hires in temporary accommodation, the data is an important signal. With fewer asylum seekers sleeping rough near central Dublin, corporate housing providers expect reduced security costs and less reputational risk for relocating staff. Conversely, the government’s focus on single males means family units will continue to occupy hotel rooms widely used for executive stays, sustaining upward pressure on nightly rates around Dublin and Galway.
Amid these shifting accommodation dynamics, global mobility teams may find it useful to streamline the immigration paperwork side of the equation. VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers end-to-end assistance with work permits, business visas and other travel documentation, enabling companies to keep their focus on housing logistics while VisaHQ handles compliance and application tracking.
Mobility professionals should also note that contingency-payment recipients are legally permitted to work after six months. HR teams recruiting entry-level talent may therefore see a modest rise in job-ready asylum seekers in Q2—but only if the applicants can secure private housing once employed. Multinationals offering relocation allowances could gain a competitive edge by including short-term rental support in job offers.
The reduced backlog reflects a year-long procurement drive that added 7,200 IPAS beds through repurposed hotels, modular villages and university housing. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the State is now “close to the 15 percent surge capacity target” recommended by the 2025 Accommodation Review. Yet NGOs caution that the headline improvement masks continued pressure: 1,000 new protection applications still arrive every month and the stock of single-occupancy rooms—preferred for safeguarding reasons—remains critically low.
For employers who routinely place international hires in temporary accommodation, the data is an important signal. With fewer asylum seekers sleeping rough near central Dublin, corporate housing providers expect reduced security costs and less reputational risk for relocating staff. Conversely, the government’s focus on single males means family units will continue to occupy hotel rooms widely used for executive stays, sustaining upward pressure on nightly rates around Dublin and Galway.
Amid these shifting accommodation dynamics, global mobility teams may find it useful to streamline the immigration paperwork side of the equation. VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers end-to-end assistance with work permits, business visas and other travel documentation, enabling companies to keep their focus on housing logistics while VisaHQ handles compliance and application tracking.
Mobility professionals should also note that contingency-payment recipients are legally permitted to work after six months. HR teams recruiting entry-level talent may therefore see a modest rise in job-ready asylum seekers in Q2—but only if the applicants can secure private housing once employed. Multinationals offering relocation allowances could gain a competitive edge by including short-term rental support in job offers.
