The number of Ukrainians relying on State-provided housing in Ireland is decreasing, with more now leaving State accommodation each day rather than arriving in the country.
An average of 25 Ukrainians seeking temporary protection arrived in Ireland per day last month, a drop of nearly 65 per cent when compared to the 70 daily arrivals in December 2023. Meanwhile, an average of 37 Ukrainians a day left State accommodation last month.
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.
While there remains a significant demand for State-provided accommodation, the portfolio needed by the Government to support Ukrainians is now decreasing.
Department of Justice data now shows the average daily arrivals dropped from 74 in November to 47 in January, before falling to 25 last month. This compares to May 2023 when an average 88 Ukrainians were arriving each day. An average of 33 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland per day so far this month.
Meanwhile, the number of Ukrainians leaving State-provided accommodation is slowly rising. Last November an average of 39 left State housing each day, rising to 42 in December. So far this month an average of 54 Ukrainians have left State accommodation each day, according to data from housing providers.
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. – Additional reporting: PA
