Kildare the most expensive county to house international protection applicants at €92 per night

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan claimed the IPAS system is currently being 'abused' by more than 5,000 people.

The average cost to accommodate an asylum seeker nationwide last year was €83.82 per night, but new figures show a big variance across the country.

Kildare was the most expensive county to accommodate international protection applicants, costing the state an average of €92 per night per — which is €37 more expensive than the cheapest county, nearby Westmeath.