€1.3 billion has been paid out to the operators of direct provision centres in Ireland since the system was established 20 years ago.
The Irish Examiner reports the highest earners are the owners of the former Butlins Camp in Mosney Co Meath who were paid almost €140 million between 2000 and 2018 and €10.8 million last year.
Direct provision was set up as a temporary measure in 2000 however there are now 5,645 people staying in the country's 39 centres.
Figures obtained by the paper show Barlow Properties were paid over €17.6 million for the use of Barrington's Lodge in Glounthane and Poc Fada in Cobh between 2000 and 2018.
Daniel O'Keeffe and Eric Geary were paid over €15.5 million for North Quay Place in the City for fours years up to 2004.
The government paid Alan Hyde and Ted Murphy over €12.8 million between 2001 and 2013 for Glen Vera in the city and €5.5 million to Bideau Ltd to run the same location between 2013 and 2018.
The owners of Clonakilty Lodge- D and A Ltd were also paid over €12.5 million from 2007 up to the present.
