Government doesn't expect Ukrainian rule change to increase homelessness

Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman was speaking as he confirmed Cabinet had agreed that newly-arrived Ukrainians would only be entitled to 90 days' State accommodation

Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman said he was confident people would not become homeless at the end of their 90 days in reception centres such as Stradbally. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The Government does not anticipate a new time limit on State accommodation causing an increase in homelessness, the Integration Minister has said.

Roderic O'Gorman was speaking as he confirmed Cabinet had agreed that newly-arrived Ukrainians would only be entitled to 90 days' State accommodation after legislative changes happen next month. Those arriving from Ukraine will also have their social protection rates cut from €220 per week to €38.80 per week.

The Irish embassies in Kyiv and across Europe will undertake information campaigns aimed at informing Ukrainians of the new Irish arrangements, but Mr O'Gorman said there was no worry the lag in the announcement on Tuesday and the operationalising of the new rules at the end of January would lead to a spike in Ukrainians coming here.

Mr O'Gorman said he was confident people would not become homeless at the end of their 90 days in reception centres such as Stradbally.

"I fundamentally don't believe that's going to become an issue... because what's happened in other EU member states is that when a limitation has been introduced to the amount of time Ukrainians can stay in accommodation, it hasn't resulted in homelessness. 

'Mobile population'

"Ukrainians are an extremely mobile population, they have the rights under the temporary protection directive to move to other EU member states. They have the right to move back to their own home or with members of their own country as well.

"So we're not seeing when other member states introduced changes like this or any sort of instances of homelessness there. And I believe that with the very detailed level of information that will be provided to Ukrainians prior to coming here and regarding the nature of our accommodation commitment, I don't believe we'll see that problem."

Government leaders on Monday agreed to bring a proposal which will see the €220 weekly payment received by those who flee Ukraine cut to just €38.80 per week. 

It is understood the proposals include limiting State-provided accommodation to 90 days before people would be asked to find their own housing, but will receive a higher rate of pay, which is still to be decided.

Those in State accommodation will still be entitled to the full child benefit payment under the new scheme, which will require the passage of legislation in January. Children will still be entitled to enrol in schools and will be bussed to alternative schools should they be forced to move.

'A difficult one to swallow'

A Government minister has said she finds the new policy to only offer Ukrainians 90 days in State accommodation “unpalatable.”

Reacting to the changes, Fianna Fáil and disabilities minister Anne Rabbitte said she found the new policy hard to swallow.

"I suppose, as a mother with three kids, to think that a mum that would come here in serious need is given 90 days in accommodation with support and then said, find your own way, I think that’s hard.

“I find that a difficult one to swallow myself to be quite honest with you. So I’m looking for more detail on it. I find that unpalatable, to be honest with you,” she told TippFM.

When contacted, a spokesperson for the minister said Ms Rabbitte met briefly with Mr O’Gorman following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, at a prearranged meeting.

“She did meet Minister O'Gorman briefly this evening. She accepts though it's the right thing to do as part of the broader approach being taken, while noting that it may be difficult for some,” her spokesperson added.