Waterford’s Causeway Group netted €8m through refugee accommodation contracts
Causeway Group owns the Sands Hotel in Tramore and Greenway Manor in Kilmeaden, as well as a host of commercial properties and hospitality venues. Photo: Alex Cunningham
Causeway Group, one of Waterford’s largest property management companies, has earned €8.05 million in state contracts for the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees since 2022.
The group owns the Sands Hotel in Tramore and Greenway Manor, as well as a host of commercial properties and hospitality venues.
The group began netting funds in 2022 Q2, coinciding with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
All transactions from 2022-2024 between the State and Causeway Group went through ‘Causeway Hospitality Ltd’, registered at Station House, Railway Square.
At the beginning of 2025, transactions changed to ‘Broad Street Hospitality Ltd’, a company registered at Station House and in the directorship of Causeway founder and CEO Sean Johnston.
Causeway Group did not respond to requests for comment for the article.
The Sands Hotel previously made news in 2024, when the now-dissolved Department of Integration wrote to 46 Ukrainian refugees residing in the hotel, informing them they must leave the property.
Causeway Group had told the Department that they would lower the rates of their contract in order to avoid the displacement of Ukrainian families.
The Sands Hotel also functions as one of Waterford City and County Council’s primary outlets for emergency accommodation.
The hotel has previously attracted criticism from Waterford councillors who have argued the hotel is unfit for purpose, and the conditions are “disgraceful”.
The use of private companies in the State’s efforts to provide ample accommodation for Ukrainian refugees has stirred controversy across the political aisle.
While some have argued the hotels are providing a vital service in the accommodation of refugees, others have cited concerns with value for taxpayers’ money and impact on local communities.
In 2024, figures released at the Public Accounts Committee showed the State had been paying more than twice as much per night for refugee accommodation from private providers than state-owned housing.
Reacting to an article published by the examining how Waterford hoteliers earned €36 million from State contracts, Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane described the findings as “stark reading”.
“Hotels were never the right long-term solution for IPAS and Ukrainian accommodation,” Deputy Cullinane said.
“This approach is not fair on taxpayers, is not sustainable, and means local hotels are taken away from community use and tourism.
“Let me be clear: the Ukrainian community in Waterford is very welcome and they are not to blame for the situation or for where they have been placed.
“The problem is with a Government policy that is not fit for purpose and has allowed private operators to profit heavily from an emergency accommodation model.”
Party colleague Conor McGuinness accused Government of adopting an "ad hoc" approach that's overly reliant on private hoteliers.
"This is not about the people seeking refuge here. They are not responsible for the system that has been created," Deputy McGuinness said.
"In Waterford, there is also a clear local impact. Tourism accommodation has been taken out of use, affecting local economies, yet there is no support equivalent to the Community Recognition Fund (CRF) to recognise that loss."
Government Ministers of State Mary Butler (Fianna Fáil) and John Cummins (Fine Gael) did not respond when approached for the original article.
