€83m bill to process 6,900 asylum applications

NEARLY 7,000 asylum seekers are currently living in direct provision accommodation, costing the taxpayer more than €83 million in 2007 alone.

Latest figures from the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) reveal just how long the asylum process is taking and how much it is costing the State.

According to the RIA, at October 31, 6,900 asylum seekers are living in 59 centres located across 22 counties. The cost to the state for the provision of such accommodation in 2007 was €83,262,000.