Paul Hosford: As system starts to creak, Ireland needs sustainable plan to house refugees

Ireland has added the population of Galway in a year, but Social Justice Ireland says "there is no clarity as to what pathways to protection will be available" if the war in Ukraine drags on for years.

An examples of rapid-build housing the Government plans to put up to provide short-term accommodation for 2,000 Ukrainians fleeing war. But it could take until August to finish all 700 of the planned modular homes. Picture: Department of the Taoiseach

The headline figure will make many people stop — €676m in just over a year.

That's the amount paid out by the State to provide accommodation for those fleeing the war in Ukraine.