Hotels face legal action for taking Government money after refugees leave [Video]

The Government is taking legal action against hotels and guesthouses who continued to receive lucrative State contracts to house Ukrainian refugees after they left the accommodation, writes John Lee.

It follows a series of inspections of asylum accommodation providers by Department of Integration officials, which have been ramped up under Taoiseach Simon Harris‘ leadership.

A senior Coalition source said: “The Department of Integration has been doing accommodation inspections since late last year.

“We have discovered a significant rate of non-compliance. Some people were being paid despite no longer accommodating Ukrainians.

“You can expect a series of court cases pursuing those caught.”

The Irish Mail on Sunday has also learned that more than 350 contracts with hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and hostels that provided accommodation for Ukrainians fleeing the invasion of their country by Russia have ended since the Government cut welfare payments for those given refuge here, freeing up more than 11,400 beds.

And a …