Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
670. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the projected savings of over €83 million from the IPAS rate card model are cash savings already realised, annualised projected savings, or avoided future expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32920/26]
View answer671. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the figure of over €83 million in projected savings and the separate figure of over €90 million in savings from the IPAS rate card model refer to the same calculation; and if he will reconcile both figures. [32921/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 670 and 671 together.
The Department is taking action across all aspects of the international protection accommodation system to improve value for money, strengthen governance and compliance, and renegotiate contracts with providers.
The introduction of a new rate card model in May 2025 is driving costs down for new and renewed contracts.
The rate card is considered commercially sensitive as it is used in live negotiations, but it functions as a bench-mark rate across various types of accommodation and is being used to renegotiate rates on renewal, and to define rates for any new contracts.
The number of contracts to which the rate card was applied, and the estimated savings achieved by applying that rate card over a 12-month period compared to the previous rate, has been reported on by the Department at intervals since 2025 as the process rolled out.
For example, in December 2025, the Department reported savings of €59m through this process to date. In February 2026, the number of contracts agreed and the estimated savings increased to €83m in savings.
As of May 2026, revised projected savings now stand at approximately €140 million compared to previous rates, across 199 agreed contracts.
These savings are estimated by comparing 12 months of costs at the previous value, with 12 months at the newly agreed value. The savings are being realised over time, as re-negotiated rates are invoiced.
This ongoing reform within the accommodation system has laid the basis for continued process improvement and costs savings in 2026.
