Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has announced that the government has approved the purchase of Dublin’s Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for €148 million. This move is part of a long-term strategy to establish a sustainable accommodation system that will lead to cost savings for the State and fulfill obligations under the new EU Pact on migration.

The Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre is currently being used to accommodate approximately 2,300 people for international protection and Ukraine accommodation. With 764 bedrooms and 12 meeting rooms, the site has previously served as a multi-purpose convention centre.

Currently, the State is housing nearly 33,000 individuals in more than 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centers across Ireland, including 9,500 children with their families. Since 2020, the Citywest site has been utilized by the State for various purposes, starting with the Covid-19 response and later as a transit hub and accommodation center for Ukrainian citizens and individuals seeking international protection.

Minister O’Callaghan emphasized the high costs associated with accommodation in recent times and highlighted the financial prudence of purchasing Citywest instead of leasing the site. He projected a payback period of approximately four years and estimated savings of over €1 billion over 25 years, while also creating a permanent State asset.

The minister expressed his commitment to reforming Ireland’s international protection system to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. He aims to streamline processing systems to expedite decisions and reduce the need for continuous expansion of the accommodation system.

While there are no immediate plans to expand capacity at the site following the purchase, ongoing discussions are being held to ensure that the leisure center on the premises remains accessible to the public. The leisure center, which boasts around 3,000 members, is a valuable amenity for the local community.