Simon Harris: Number of Ukrainians in State accommodation down by 175 per week

Taoiseach Simon Harris welcomed the publication of the Government’s accommodation framework for international protection applicants (Niall Carson/PA)

There is a net reduction of approximately 175 Ukrainians living in State-provided accommodation every week, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.

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, the average number of BOTPs leaving State accommodation now exceeds the number of temporary protection orders being granted to new arrivals.

Speaking in Brussels, Mr Harris said the latest data shows there are “roughly 175 fewer Ukrainian people in State accommodation each week”.

While there remains a significant demand for State-provided accommodation, the portfolio needed by the Government to support Ukrainians is therefore decreasing.

Mr Harris said the reduction allowed the Department of Integration to reconsider contracts on its overall portfolio.

“Now I fully accept that that’s the Ukrainian side of the challenge and there is, of course, a very significant increase that we’ve seen in international protection numbers.

“But I do think it provides two opportunities.

“One for the Department of Immigration to begin to take stock of the overall numbers of contracts and obligations it has in relation to housing in general.

“And secondly, I think it does merit reflection, because we did take policy interventions recently in relation to Ukraine, reducing, for example, welfare benefits for people coming to our country anew and we have obviously seen a very significant reduction.”

Mr Harris welcomed the publication of the Government’s accommodation framework for international protection applicants, saying it was an acknowledgment that being “wholly reliant” on the private market is unsustainable.

He said: “We now need to see proposals come forward very quickly, in relation to other turnkey-type opportunities that may exist in relation to international protection.”

He said he expects to convene a Cabinet committee on migration within two weeks.

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 support for new BOTPs.

The changes came into effect last month and did 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 euro subsistence allowance per week and an additional 29.80 euro per child.

Arrivals had been entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance of 220 euro 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% 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.