The state spent over 175 million euro on direct provision centres last year.
According to freedom of information documents, it's an increase of nearly 36 per cent on 2019.
5,275 asylum-seekers and refugees are living in direct provision centres at the moment.
They're based in 46 different facilities throughout the country - with 673 people living in a centre in Mosney, Co Meath.
The next biggest is in Athlone, Co Westmeath, which has 246 residents.
The Department of Integration says the total cost of direct-provision accommodation last year over 175 million euro.
That compares to 129 million in 2019 and 78 million the previous year.
The government recently announced plans to phase out direct provision - with all centres due to close by 2024.
