The Government is considering reducing the length of time Ukrainian refugees can stay in State-provided accommodation from 90 days to 30, according to the Minister for Justice.
Since 2022, more than 100,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland, with around 80,000 still residing here today, reports RTE.
A leaked Department of Justice document revealed that at least 50 Ukrainians are arriving in Ireland daily, coinciding with Ukraine’s decision to allow men aged 18 to 24 to leave the country.
The note warned that Ireland’s available accommodation capacity could be “exhausted” by the end of November, reports RTE.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed he plans to discuss the issue with Government colleagues “in due course”.
“A lot of matters are under consideration, we’re being extremely generous in Ireland in terms of the provision that we give to people coming from Ukraine,” he said, reports RTE.
“At present if you arrive in Ireland you’ll receive 90 days of accommodation and we’re just going to have to look at these factors to ensure there’s sufficient accommodation for the people coming because we can’t provide accommodation indefinitely,” reports RTE.
Other potential policy changes include refusing accommodation to those who travelled through a safe country before arriving in Ireland or who previously received temporary protection elsewhere in the EU.
While these measures could be introduced shortly, longer-term changes—such as scaling back and eventually ending the Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme—are also under review, reports RTE.
That scheme currently provides households hosting Ukrainian refugees with a €600 monthly tax-free payment.
Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, said he was deeply troubled that the proposed changes had been leaked, calling it unhelpful for Ukrainians and those assisting them, reports RTE.
“But it’s the content that we have real concerns about, particularly the proposal that the accommodation recognition payment, which is hosting probably more than 40,000 people from Ukraine across Ireland in peoples’ homes and spare rooms – that that might be wound down,” he said, reports RTE.
“Ukrainian people here don’t really have any other options, they’re not entitled to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and they’re not entitled to social housing,” reports RTE.
Mr Henderson added that expecting those fleeing war to find new accommodation within 30 days would be unrealistic, especially in a “very stretched rental market”.
He also questioned whether a 30-day limit would comply with the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive, which requires countries like Ireland to provide suitable accommodation for Ukrainians, reports RTE.
Some Ukrainians living in Ireland have also criticised the proposal, saying 30 days would be far too short a time for people escaping conflict to secure new accommodation.
Nadiya Ivannikova, principal of the Ukrainian Native School—a Saturday school established in 2009 to teach Ukrainian children about their culture and homeland—said the change would cause distress, reports RTE.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, these schools have grown in demand and have become vital community centres for displaced families.
Ms Ivannikova, who has lived in Ireland for 23 years, was in Ukraine with her family when the war broke out, reports RTE.
She has since helped many Ukrainians adapt to life in Ireland.
“People from Ukraine who came to Ireland are trying to find a safe place for their kids first, reports RTE.”
“They’re trying to find peace and care. A lot of people have no friends here or no relations here, they are running away,” she said, reports RTE.
“One month is not enough for them to find their own place, or more accommodation and support,” reports RTE.
Maria Starukh, Education Coordinator and Director of the Association of Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland, organises Ukrainian language classes across the country and spoke during a Halloween event at Sandymount Community Centre, reports RTE.
She explained that many community centres and Educate Together schools have opened their doors so children can “learn about their culture, their tradition, and their language and it makes them happy,” reports RTE.
While expressing deep gratitude for Ireland’s continued support, Ms Starukh acknowledged that accommodation remains a sensitive issue due to housing shortages, reports RTE.
She said the Ukrainian community would do its best to assist those facing difficulties if the accommodation period is reduced, though she recognised that capacity issues may necessitate tough decisions, reports RTE.
Neonila Struk, who arrived in Ireland two years ago and teaches at the Saturday school in Drogheda, said it would be “very difficult” for people affected by war and lacking English to find housing within a month, reports RTE.
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