Asylum seekers may have to contribute up to 40% of income for State accommodation

Cabinet will consider proposals requiring asylum seekers to pay a proportion of their weekly income towards State-provided accommodation

The plan, brought forward by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Asylum seekers could be required to pay between 10% and 40% of their weekly income towards the cost of their State accommodation under new proposals going to Cabinet tomorrow.

The plan, brought forward by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan and migration minister Colm Brophy, forms part of efforts by the Coalition to tighten conditions for those seeking protection as pressure on accommodation capacity continues. 

Under the proposed model, a person earning up to €150 a week would contribute €15. Those earning up to €340 would contribute around €83, while anyone earning €600 or more weekly would pay €238.

For example, someone earning more than €340 but under €405 would be charged €119 a week, equivalent to 29–35% of their income.

If approved, the system could come into effect next year.

Mr O’Callaghan previously said Ireland must continue to work to reduce the number of people applying for international protection, with about 13,000 applications made this year.

Department of Justice figures indicate that around 7,600 people in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) would have been eligible for the contribution last year. 

The Government expects this number to fall in the coming years, citing anticipated reductions in arrivals once the EU’s new Migration and Asylum Pact takes effect.