Buses and taxis for international protection applicants cost €12 million
The cost relates to bus and taxi services used to transport asylum seekers from their point of arrival in the country to accommodation centres.
More than 89,500 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have been provided with accommodation by the state during the period.
Almost 24,300 of those are currently in state-supported accommodation, while around 38,000 are in accommodation with hosts in receipt of the Accommodation Recognition Payment.
A total of €4.12 million was spent on transport for BOTPs in 2022 following the activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The directive places obligations on EU member states regarding services and entitlements that must be provided to those seeking temporary protection.
The transportation bill increased to a peak of €4.75 million during 2023, but fell significantly to €2.43 million last year. A further €770,000 has been spent on buses and taxis for BOTPs to date in 2025.
The figures were published by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan in response to a parliamentary question from independent TD Carol Nolan this week.
'The Irish State and the Irish people have responded with exceptional support and generosity since 2022 in supporting people seeking temporary protection here from the war in Ukraine,' he said.
A total of 116,040 people have been granted temporary protection in Ireland since 2022, which Mr O'Callaghan said was 'an important demonstration' of solidarity with Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
'[BOTPs] hold temporary permission to remain in Ireland, and this permission is renewable on an annual basis as long as the directive remains in force,' he explained.
'Under the directive, those fleeing the war against Ukraine are entitled to apply for temporary protection in any member state and to move from one member state to another.'
The Department of Justice is currently in the process of renewing BOTPs' permission to remain, requiring applicants to prove that they are currently residing in Ireland.
'It is envisaged that this project will be concluded later this year and, once completed, I will be in a position to outline the total number of BOTPs who are currently resident in the state,' said Mr O'Callaghan.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has estimated that around 75 percent of those granted temporary protection are still in the country, based on activity associated with their PPS numbers.
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