More than 200 people seeking international protection have been left without accommodation in the past three weeks, a senior Government official has said.
Accommodation has not been found for 203 refugees since 24 January, Kevin McCarthy, Secretary General at the Department of Children and Integration, told the Public Accounts Committee.
While the department is in the process of establishing a second transit hub to process those arriving into the State, he warned that this "does not necessarily solve our problem".
Taoiseach Leo Vadadkar told the Dáil that "meetings at ministerial level" are being held today to address the issue.
Mr McCarthy said that protests against accommodation for those seeking international protection - as distinct from those fleeing Ukraine - are discouraging providers.
While the vast majority of those arriving in Ireland have encountered a "welcoming" and "supportive" response, he pointed to a "a relatively small number but an increasing number" of protesters.
"We are seeing the impact of that," he told the committee.
"There is a considerable reluctance on the part of providers to become involved in international protection provision", Mr McCarthy said, noting that this is not an issue "on the Ukraine front".
"It is particularly a challenge in relation to single males," he said, emphasising that the facts prove that single men do not "present a threat to communities".
An estimated shortfall of 3,000 beds for Ukrainian refugees once current contracts expire is "probably on the conservative side," Mr McCarthy added.
He was responding to Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon, who had cited the figure.
Most buildings needing work to house Ukrainians 'unsuitable'
A "considerable number of hotels" have not yet responded to requests to renew contracts, many of which expire at the end of next month.
While "nobody has refused", he noted that many a reserving their position and "there is a clear risk to us of losing contracts".
Asked about hoteliers waiting "up to 11 weeks" to be paid, he said that "€200m was paid out in November and December" to tackle what had become a "very significant" backlog.
But while payments have sped up, it remains challenging, he added, as "we have over 700 providers now".
Mr McCarthy noted that over the past year, 700 centres for Ukrianian refugees have been opened along with 60 emergency centres for those seeking International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS).
In total, there are now 172 IPAS centres giving shelter to 19,000 people.
The cost of this programme has risen from €200m in 2021, to €330m in 2022, and has a budget of €363m for this year.
Lack of accommodation being discussed by ministers - Varadkar
The Taoiseach has said that "meetings at ministerial level" are being held today to address the lack of accommodation.
Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that "very aggressive campaigns" targeting asylum seekers are intended to "sow division" and are conducted by "unscrupulous" people who are intent on "weaponising" the fears of people who have genuine concerns.
He was speaking during statements on the coordination of services for those seeking protection in Ireland.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said: "We must do nothing to inflame delicate situations" and emphasised that applications for asylum must be dealt with quickly".
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the lack of accommodation was entirely predictable, as the "housing system is broken", and dismissed the Government response as "panic" which has consigned many to "limbo".
The crisis has become a "lightning rod" for those grappling with legitimate frustrations arising from the Government's failures, she said.
"Reject those seeking to exploit your anger".
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik welcomed today's debate on "how do to right" by those fleeing conflict.
There has been an outpouring of "decency and humanity" across the country, she said, as she urged that this not be overshadowed by the "sinister" actions of a fringe minority who are exploiting the "information vacuum" left by the Government.
