Ukrainians living in State-provided accommodation without paying rent is “not fair”, “too costly” and “damaging to social cohesion”, according to Tánaiste Simon Harris.
Simon Harris said he would “challenge anybody” to say “hand on heart that they think it’s fair that somebody can live rent-free, effectively, forever more” in State accommodation, reports Breaking News.
The comments come as the Government prepares to gradually withdraw State-funded accommodation for around 16,000 Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland before March 2024.
This follows a decision to reduce the length of time newly arrived Ukrainian refugees can remain in State accommodation from 90 days to 30, reports Breaking News.
The Minister for Finance said he was “proud” of how the Government responded to the war in Ukraine, but acknowledged there was a need to learn from the experience.
Speaking on Wednesday, he said, “The amount of money that was spent on this is very large,” reports Breaking News.
“I still think, on balance, it is the right thing to do, is the decent thing to do, but it’s not sustainable.
“It has to end, it’s not fair. We can’t have a situation where some people in our country live rent-free while having a right to work, and other people don’t,” reports Breaking News.
Harris said the Government had been developing the proposal over a considerable period, emphasising that the changes are about fairness.
“I mean, people from Ukraine are very welcome to this country. People from Ukraine are making a really positive contribution this country – let me just say that,” he added, reports Breaking News.
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He continued by saying Ireland remains supportive of Ukraine but must also introduce more standardised arrangements.
“We’re proud to stand with Ukraine and people from Ukraine are very welcome. We do also, though, have to kind of regularise things here,” reports Breaking News.
“We can’t continue to spend billions of euro on accommodation. We can’t continue to have a situation – and I say this really respectfully – where people who are working in our country aren’t paying any rent,” he said, reports Breaking News.
Harris also highlighted concerns about social cohesion, pointing to what he described as inconsistencies in the system during an interview with Newstalk radio.
“Since March 24th, I think any Ukrainian who arrives in Ireland gets 30 days’ accommodation and then again, not being flippant, has a right to work and goes on their way,” he said, reports Breaking News.
“Only around 22 per cent of people who are even coming in are taking up that offer,” he added, reports Breaking News.
The Fine Gael leader said the current system creates inequality among Ukrainians themselves.
“So you now have some Ukrainians who are having to kind of go off into the rental market themselves, and you’ve other Ukrainians that since 2024, and before, are living in rent-free state accommodation. That’s not fair. It’s too expensive, and it’s damaging to social cohesion,” he said, reports Breaking News.
Harris noted that vulnerable individuals would need protection and that any changes should be introduced gradually.
He also said that even if the EU Temporary Protection Directive is extended, the Government intends to keep its current approach, reports Breaking News.
Finally, he emphasised the importance of planning for how Ukrainians who wish to remain in Ireland after temporary protection ends will be integrated into the system, reports Breaking News.
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