The Department of Integration is considering introducing concessions to allow Ukrainian refugees to travel over Christmas, reports RTE.
Earlier this month, the department tightened its absence policy so that refugees cannot leave state-provided housing unless there are exceptional circumstances.
This was done due to significant pressure on available accommodation.
Prior to this change, refugees could leave their residence for a maximum of seven days.
Under the new protocol introduced on October 7, this value was brought down to zero, reports RTE.
However, the ministry confirmed that it is considering layoffs for the holiday season. Their names will be announced in the next two weeks.
It is understood that implementation of the Absenteeism Policy has proved challenging to date due to the dependence of the Integration Department on the private sector.
Where beds are limited, the Department is intensifying checks with accommodation providers to ensure that all available beds are being utilised.
A spokesman for the Department of Integration said the new absence protocol introduced earlier this month “acknowledges that the constrained supply of new accommodation coming on stream does not align with the number of new arrivals to Ireland”.
“It is of paramount importance that the State takes all necessary steps to maximise the supply of available beds as we approach the winter months to ensure that a bed will always be available for any BOTP (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection) who needs it,” the spokesman added, reports RTE.
The Irish Red Cross said it will launch another appeal to the public next month to arrange accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine.
The agency said more than 11,000 people have been housed in 4,600 facilities since the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022. This applies to both shared and free accommodation.
The Irish Red Cross also said it had found accommodation for 600 people in the past six weeks, with 99 people receiving accommodation last week.
Green Party TD Brian Leddin said: “That is not appropriate at all,” reports RTE.
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