Independent Offaly TD Carol Nolan has accused the Government of “kicking the can down the road” after officials confirmed that a planned accommodation contribution for employed asylum seekers may not come into force until late 2026. Speaking on 3 November, Nolan said it was “simply not credible” that International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres would need 12 months to introduce weekly charges of €15–€238, scaled to income.
Ireland currently provides food and lodging free of charge to all applicants for the first 90 days and, in practice, much longer. With more than 30 percent of the 29,000 people in IPAS now in work, Ministers agreed in principle last summer that those earning should contribute, mirroring practices in other EU states such as the Netherlands and Denmark. However, IT upgrades, means-testing protocols and legal drafting have stalled implementation.
![TD Carol Nolan slams year-long delay in charging working asylum seekers for State accommodation]()
Nolan argued that the delay undermines public confidence and places an unfair burden on taxpayers. She drew parallels with the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, where Irish citizens’ rent contributions are collected and adjusted monthly. “If revenue-linked payments can be taken from HAP tenants, there is no justification for exempting employed protection applicants for another year,” she said.
Business groups have a stake in the debate. Many hospitality and agri-food employers rely on IPAS residents with work permission (Stamp 4) to plug labour gaps. Clarifying the timeline for deductions will help HR departments forecast net pay and advise staff. Mobility advisers should also watch for knock-on effects: once charges begin, some workers may seek private rentals, potentially easing pressure on IPAS capacity but increasing demand in an already tight housing market.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth insists the contribution model is “well advanced” and will go to Cabinet before Christmas. It aims to balance cost recovery with the need to avoid destitution, particularly for low-wage staff on variable hours. A hardship waiver and phased roll-out are under review.
Ireland currently provides food and lodging free of charge to all applicants for the first 90 days and, in practice, much longer. With more than 30 percent of the 29,000 people in IPAS now in work, Ministers agreed in principle last summer that those earning should contribute, mirroring practices in other EU states such as the Netherlands and Denmark. However, IT upgrades, means-testing protocols and legal drafting have stalled implementation.
Nolan argued that the delay undermines public confidence and places an unfair burden on taxpayers. She drew parallels with the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, where Irish citizens’ rent contributions are collected and adjusted monthly. “If revenue-linked payments can be taken from HAP tenants, there is no justification for exempting employed protection applicants for another year,” she said.
Business groups have a stake in the debate. Many hospitality and agri-food employers rely on IPAS residents with work permission (Stamp 4) to plug labour gaps. Clarifying the timeline for deductions will help HR departments forecast net pay and advise staff. Mobility advisers should also watch for knock-on effects: once charges begin, some workers may seek private rentals, potentially easing pressure on IPAS capacity but increasing demand in an already tight housing market.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth insists the contribution model is “well advanced” and will go to Cabinet before Christmas. It aims to balance cost recovery with the need to avoid destitution, particularly for low-wage staff on variable hours. A hardship waiver and phased roll-out are under review.
