Asylum centre firms enjoy multi-million euro State payout

A select group of companies last year continued to enjoy a multi-million euro bonanza from the State for providing accommodation to asylum seekers.

Last year, the direct provision system cost the State €55m to fund 4,360 asylum seekers in direct provision accommodation in 34 centres at the end of December last.

Now, new figures from the Department of Justice’s Purchase Order book for 2013 show that five firms last year received payments in excess of €3.8m with four of those receiving fees in excess of €4m (incl Vat).

The figures show that East Coast Catering last year received the top amount — €4.79m — with the firm providing accommodation at Baleskin reception centre in Co Dublin and other locations.

Between 2000 and 2012, East Coast Catering received €91.5m from the department.

The figures also show that Campbell Catering Ltd received €4.57m; and Millstreet Equestrian Services, which provides accommodation in Waterford, Cork and Tipperary areas received payment of €4.4m.

Already, between 2000 and 2012, Millstreet Equestrian Services received €52.6m from the State.

The department’s record of purchase orders also shows that Mosney last year received €4.1m and this adds to the €101m the firm received from the State between 2002 and 2012.

The Department of Justice figures also show that Bridgestock last year received an additional €3.8m — on top of the €66.7m the firm received in fees between 2000 and 2012.

All of the firms, apart from Campbell Catering Ltd, are unlimited and this allows them to shield their annual profits as they are not required to file annual accounts.

Last week in the Dáil, Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter defended the direct provision system.

He said: “Substantial sums of money have been spent by the State on direct provision. The alternative to direct provision would be the provision by the State of individual housing for every asylum applicant.”

The minister also stated in a recent written Dáil response: “The numbers of asylum seekers residing in direct provision has reduced significantly over the last five years. At the end of December 2013 there were 4,360 residents in direct provision compared with 6,424 at the end of December 2009. This represents a reduction of 2,064, or 32%, in the number of residents in direct provision in that period.

He added: “There was also a corresponding reduction in the cost of providing accommodation in the direct provision system. The budget out turn for 2009 was €86.5m compared to €55.2m in 2013.

“That represents a drop of €31.3m, or 36%, in the cost of providing direct provision accommodation over that period.”