€1bn to assist asylum seekers

Number of Ukrainian refugees has increased from 15,000 to roughly 70,000 over the past 17 months

Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman said 'there is a continuing shortfall in accommodation' for asylum seekers.

The Government has announced €1bn in supplementary funding for the assistance of international asylum seekers in recognition of the “immense pressure” the system is currently under.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman made the joint announcement in Dublin but insisted that the new funding had already been provided for within last year’s budget, which was delivered at a time when the Russia-Ukraine conflict had already been under way for several months.