The number of Ukrainians relying on State accommodation in Ireland is decreasing.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union triggered a temporary protection directive to offer assistance for those fleeing the war.
It places obligations on EU countries to give certain rights to the beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) including residence permits and access to suitable accommodation.
Ireland has granted more than 105,000 temporary protection orders since the war, and almost 72,000 BOTPs are in State-provided accommodation.
However, it is understood the average number of BOTPs leaving State accommodation now exceeds the number of temporary protection orders being granted to new arrivals.
While there remains a significant demand for State-provided accommodation, the portfolio needed by the Government to support Ukrainians is therefore decreasing.
The Government spends approximately €100 million per month in contracts for accommodating Ukrainians but it is expected that this figure will decrease as the property portfolio shrinks due to the decrease in arrivals and increase in exits.
The Department of Integration has also closed its portal for offers of housing to Ukrainians as it is not currently procuring any further commercial accommodation as part of this response.
The average daily number of people seeking protection under the temporary directive for Ukrainians has more than halved since before the Government announced in December that it would be limiting supports for new BOTPs.
The changes came into effect this month and do not apply to those who had already arrived.
Under the revised plan, Ukrainian refugees go to Designated Accommodation Centres for up to 90 days and are provided with food, laundry and integration support during this time.
They will be paid a €38.80 subsistence allowance per week and an additional €29.80 per child.
Arrivals had been entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance of €220 per week and unlimited time in State accommodation.
Approximately half of arrivals opt for State-provided accommodation. Those who do not are entitled to the full income supports.
It is understood there are approximately 3,000 vacant beds across the accommodation system for Ukrainians but around 40 per cent of these are needed due to short-term moves of BOTPs due to compliance issues or contracts ending.
It is hoped that providers will agree to pivot approximately 500 beds for use by international protection applicants, which is separate from the temporary scheme for Ukrainians.
