There has been a five-fold increase in the number of people coming to Ireland seeking international protection this year. To date, almost 10,000 asylum seekers have entered the country. While over 54,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived.

The government has been mainly relying on the private sector for accommodation, so much so that one in seven hotels across the country are now being used for that purpose - accommodating refugees and asylum seekers.

But with no sign of the numbers arriving here anytime soon, what’s the long-term plan? And why are so much more people seeking international protection here this year?

Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte has been finding out…