15% increase in translation and interpretation costs for International Protection Office

The International Protection Office in Dublin. The IPO said interpreters were available on request to guarantee 'fair procedures' when a person was making an application for international protection. Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

The cost of translation and interpretation services for applicants for asylum in Ireland totalled more than €7m over the past two years.

The bill for dealing with international protection applicants has risen sharply, with €3.78m paid out last year for translation and interpretation.