Accessing Accommodation

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is responsible for accommodating you and all other International Protection Applicants.

Since June 12th 2026, we understand that IPAS has been able to offer accommodation to all newly arrived asylum applicants. If that is not the case for you, please email us to discuss further.

We continue to run our homeless clinic because there are many asylum applicants who become homeless for various reasons and need help re-accessing IPAS accommodation.

Re-accommodation cases:

This is where you were offered IPAS accommodation but refused the offer. Or you were living in IPAS accommodation and lost it or left it for whatever reason.

You can seek re-accommodation by emailing IPAS directly: ipasinbox@justice.ie. Please be aware it could take a couple of weeks for IPAS to reply with an offer of accommodation.

Withdrawal of reception conditions:

If your reception conditions were withdrawn by IPAS (permanent eviction) this means that IPAS are alleging you committed a serious rule break within your IPAS accommodation and, due to the gravity of behaviour, are refusing to accommodate you moving forward. You have a right to request a review of this decision (within 10 working days of the receiving the eviction letter). If you need help with this please contact us and also inform your asylum solicitor. You are entitled to 113 euro per week if your reception conditions are withdrawn.

How can the Irish Refugee Council help? : Information & Support

Homeless Clinic

If you are homeless, our caseworkers can meet with you to discuss your situation, provide you with useful information and signpost you to other services. We can discuss any remedies available to you, and we can write to IPAS on your behalf.

If you would like to meet a caseworker, we have a clinic at our office every Tuesday at 10am. Irish Refugee Council, 37 Killarney St, Dublin 1, D01 NX74

You can also contact us by phone or email, see details in poster

Medical Assistance

If you are sick or unwell, you can access primary care health services for free at one
of the following clinics:

• SafetyNet Inclusion Hub - call 01 233 6990
• The Capuchin Day Centre, 29 Bow Street, Dublin 7, D07 WY43- Call 01 873 3301
• 13-14 Merchant’s Quay, Dublin 8, DO8 KT61
• 28 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 NA48

For further information, see here.

You should submit any documentation evidencing any medical conditions to IPAS. This may result in quicker access to accommodation.
In case of a medical emergency, dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance.

Social Welfare

Access to social welfare is only possible in two scenarios:

Scenario 1: you were refused IPAS accommodation when you arrived to Ireland and applied for asylum (at present, all asylum applicants are being offered accommodation on arrival). Your name should be added to a waiting list and while you are waiting to be accommodated you are entitled to 113 euro per week through social welfare payment.

Scenario 2: your reception conditions were withdrawn by IPAS (permanent eviction). You are entitled to 113 euro if your reception conditions are withdrawn.

If you were offered IPAS accommodation and did not accept the offer or if you were in IPAS and lost or left it, you are not entitled to any social welfare payment.

For those residing in Dublin, we recommend you access community welfare services through Elizabeth O'Farrell House, North Cumberland St, Dublin 1.

You can also apply for an Additional Needs Payment. This is payment that you may apply for if you have essential expenses that you cannot pay from your weekly income or other sources.

Homeless Day Services

Please be aware that Homeless services are not responsible for providing accommodation to International Protection Applicants; this is the responsibility of IPAS.

Homeless day services across Dublin city centre can however help you with breakfast, lunch, dinner, showers, change of clothing, tents and sleeping bags, for free.

The services have different opening hours, starting from 8am and finishing at 10pm. Please click on the links for more information.

Booking a Tourist Hostel

While you are waiting to be accommodated you may be able to source private accommodation, such as a hostel.

If you do source private accommodation you can apply for further financial assistance through the Department of Social Protection's Supplementary Allowance scheme. You will need to apply for an Additional Needs Payment at your nearest Community Welfare Service. For those residing in Dublin, we recommend you access community welfare services through Elizabeth O'Farrell House, North Cumberland St, Dublin 1.

It is important to note that Additional Needs Payments are issued at the discretion of department deciding officers. As a result, rates may vary, payments issued may not cover your total costs, and your application may be refused entirely.

Deciding officers may ask that you book your accommodation first so that they can then refund you. If you do not have the means to do so, we recommend you explain this to staff in the Department of Social Protection and/ or attend our Thursday clinic (or email us at: info@irishrefugeecouncil.ie)

Prices for hostel style accommodations vary but you might find a bed costing between 25-30 euro per night. Prices for holidays and weekends are often considerably higher. Check Booking.com and Hostel World to see prices and availability. We recommend you keep receipts (evidence of payments). These will be helpful in your applications for Additional Needs Payments.

It is important to note that tourist hostels will most likely refuse you if you do not have a national ID (such as a passport, driving license, or a national ID card from your home country).

Postal Address / Proof of Address

An Post Address Point:

An Post Address Point is a free service that provides a fixed address to those experiencing homelessness. You can use a local post office as an address to receive post. . To get your address, please register here. It is very easy. See the picture below.
Once a week, visit your chosen Post Office to check if there is post for you. The Post Office will keep your post for 10 days and then it is returned to the sender. Please bring your PPS card with you to collect your post.

Proof of Address:

If you are receiving a social welfare payment, you can contact your Community Welfare Service and request that they issue you with a social welfare statement to your An Post address. You will then receive a government issued letter with your name and address. This letter can be used as a proof of address. For those residing in Dublin, we recommend you email your community welfare service at: hpu@welfare.ie