Government to start withdrawing State-provided accommodation from 16,000 Ukrainians

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan

The Government is to begin withdrawing State-provided accommodation from 16,000 Ukrainian refugees from August, as it prepares to wind down key supports ahead of an EU voluntary return scheme.

Senior Government ministers agreed a number of changes to the State's policy on Ukrainian refugees, including the winding down of the existing Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) and accommodation rights.

This will see any Ukrainian refugee who arrived in Ireland before March 2024 no longer entitled to State-provided accommodation, unless they are particularly vulnerable or have a barrier to independence.

The Cabinet subcommittee on Justice agreed that people would be granted a minimum of three months’ notice before their accommodation is withdrawn.

This change is expected to impact on approximately 16,000 people currently living in State-provided accommodation centres.

The Government had previously introduced rules that restricted newly arriving Ukrainian refugees to be accommodated for 30 days, but this did not apply to those who arrived before March 2024.

The measures were proposed by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan at the meeting of the Cabinet subcommittee on Monday afternoon.

For those seeking to remain in State-provided accommodation, they will need to apply and self-declare their need for the lodgings. This would need to be supported by evidence, with an applications process due to begin in July.

This state accommodation would be similar to existing designated centres.

People will also be entitled to the existing weekly temporary protection payment, which is paid at €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. However, this will be subject to an income test.

The Government is also set to wind down the Accommodation Recognition Payment, which is a monthly €600 tax-free payment for households providing housing to Ukrainian refugees.

Winding down the payment will begin in Q3, with the payment to end outright in March 2027.

It was also agreed to cut the payment to €400 per month, commencing in September.

This change is expected to impact on approximately 42,000 people.

Ministers also agreed to work with the EU on a new voluntary return programme to Ukraine, with sources suggesting the probable start date would be in March 2027.

Any such programme would be led at an EU level, with support provided to Ukraine to assist with the reintegration of Ukrainian refugees and provide funds to rebuild the country.