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).