More than 5,000 refugees 'abusing' State accommodation by refusing to leave, justice minister says

Jim O'Callaghan to tell Dáil committee that working international protection applicants should pay towards their accommodation costs

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan: Costs of housing migrants in IPAS centres 'are quite simply unsustainable and must be brought down'. Picture: Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins 

It is “vital” refugee accommodation is not “abused” by people granted asylum who refuse to leave it, with more than 5,000 people currently in this situation, according to justice minister Jim O'Callaghan.

Many people granted asylum or leave to remain in Ireland have struggled to find somewhere else to live amid a housing crisis, with protests over enforced moves from International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres increasing.