DUBLIN: Ireland’s hotel industry has experienced substantial growth, driven in large part by government contracts for housing refugees and International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) applicants, including those from Ukraine. Figures from the Department of Integration reveal that €5 million is being spent daily by the government to provide food and shelter for refugees and IPAS applicants. Over a six-month period, the total cost has reached €922.43 million, with €467.74 million specifically allocated for housing Ukrainian refugees. The overall payments to IPAS have increased by 48% year-on-year, with €239.75 million spent between April and June of this year alone, compared to €162.4 million during the same period last year.
Major Hotels Reap the Benefits
Several prominent hotels and hospitality companies in Ireland have benefitted significantly from these government contracts. Total Experience Ltd. leads the pack, receiving €9 million in the second quarter of this year, following €7.7 million in the first quarter. Other major players include ‘The D Hotel’ in Drogheda, which received €5.6 million in the second quarter, sparking controversy.
Political and Business Figures Involved
The refugee accommodation business has also extended to enterprises owned by political figures. Brimwood UC, controlled by former Monaghan GAA football manager Seamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney, received €10.1 million in the second quarter and €35.6 million over the last five quarters. Similarly, County Kerry guesthouse, owned by Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, received €122,360 in the second quarter for housing Ukrainian refugees.
Other Significant Beneficiaries
The ‘Cape Wrath Hotel UC’, part of Ireland’s largest hotel chain and owned by Citywest Inn under the ‘Tetrarch Capital Group’, received €17.64 million in the second quarter, with €14.05 million allocated for Ukrainian refugees. In the first half of 2023, Cape Wrath received €34.4 million for housing refugees and IPAS applicants, with total payments amounting to €53.7 million in the year to date.
Other notable recipients include:
– ‘Breaffy House Resort’ in Mayo, which received €3.1 million in the second quarter.
– ‘Travelodge Group’ hotels, which earned €7.97 million in the second quarter, following €11.18 million in the first quarter.
– ‘Holiday Inn Dublin Airport’, which secured €5.6 million for the first three months of the year.
– ‘Red Cow Moran Hotel’, operated by Guestford Ltd., earned €8.45 million, while ‘Tifco’-owned hotels brought in €4.28 million in the second quarter.
– Windward Management Ltd., owned by hotel tycoon Patrick Coyle, received €5.8 million for housing Ukrainian refugees in the first quarter.
Additionally, ‘Mosney Holidays PLC’ earned €14 million for accommodating IPAS applicants, while Alpro Security Services was paid €6.65 million in the second quarter and €8.11 million in the third quarter for providing security services at refugee accommodations.
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