Government to Wind Down Ukrainian Refugee Accommodation Support
The Irish government is preparing to significantly scale back and eventually eliminate its accommodation support programs for Ukrainian refugees. This includes phasing out the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) and ending state-contracted hotel and B&B arrangements.
The ARP, established following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, was designed to incentivise property owners to offer spare rooms or second homes to Ukrainians granted temporary protection in Ireland. Initially set at €800 per month, the payment was reduced to €600 last year and is now slated for a further decrease to €400 as part of a gradual winding-down process.
The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) in Detail
- Purpose: To provide financial support to Irish property owners hosting Ukrainian refugees.
- Initial Rate: €800 per month.
- Current Rate: €600 per month.
- Planned New Rate: €400 per month.
- Current Beneficiaries: Approximately 23,500 property owners.
- Total Cost: An estimated €14.5 million per month.
- Scheme Duration: Originally set to expire this month, it has been extended until March 2027, allowing for a phased elimination.
Junior Minister for Migration, Colm Brophy, informed the Dáil that the reduction in the ARP payment is intended to facilitate a “gradual winding-down scheme.” He emphasised that Ukrainians who have received temporary protection in Ireland are a valued part of the community and that many are actively seeking and securing housing independently.
The ARP scheme has been instrumental in accommodating a significant portion of Ukrainian refugees since its inception, with over 42,000 individuals having benefited from the program. The planned reduction in the payment is a strategic move to transition away from direct government accommodation provision.
Transitioning Away from State-Contracted Hotels
In parallel with the ARP changes, the government is also planning to allow its contracts with hotels and Bed & Breakfasts to house Ukrainian refugees to expire. Minister Brophy highlighted a substantial decrease in the number of individuals residing in state-contracted accommodation.
- Current Occupancy: Approximately 19,200 people are currently housed in state-contracted accommodation.
- Peak Occupancy: This figure represents a significant reduction from a peak of around 60,000 people in November 2023.
This considerable drop indicates a successful effort in transitioning refugees out of temporary hotel settings and into more sustainable accommodation solutions. The government’s intention is to allow these contracts to naturally conclude as the overall need for state-provided emergency accommodation diminishes.
The phased approach to dismantling these accommodation programmes signals a shift in strategy, aiming to encourage self-sufficiency among refugees while acknowledging their integration into Irish society. The government’s focus appears to be on supporting refugees in finding long-term housing solutions through existing market mechanisms and community supports, rather than through direct state provision of temporary accommodation. This move is also likely influenced by the ongoing costs associated with these programs and the evolving needs of the refugee population.
