Cost of running direct provision centres to more than double 

Newbridge Direct Provision Centre, on the Main Street of the town in Co. Kildare.

Officials at the Dept of Justice have warned the impact of Covid-19 is contributing to the projected costs of accommodating and protecting asylum seekers in direct provision and hotels spiralling to €200m this year.

The projected spend of €200m is an overrun of €120m on the 2020 budget provision of €80.6m under the heading of ‘International Protection Accommodation’.