THE GOVERNMENT HAS agreed to begin withdrawing State-provided accommodation that is currently housing 16,000 Ukrainian refugees.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan secured the agreement this afternoon at the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs. 

Ukrainian people who arrived in Ireland before March 2024 will no longer be entitled to state-contracted commercial accommodation, with the exception of “highly vulnerable” people or those with barriers to independence. 

In order to continue being accommodated, it’s been proposed that people who fall into those categories will be required to apply and self-declare their need for accommodation, supported by evidence. This accommodation will be in a different location and setting and will be similar to designated accommodation centres.

The withdrawal will begin in August on a phased basis over six months. People affected will be given a minimum of three months’ notice. 

The properties currently in use will be returned to tourism, alternative use and potentially the private rental sector.

It was also agreed to wind down the €600 Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme from the third quarter of this year, to be completed by March next year. 

A reduction to €400 could be introduced in September. This will affect around 42,000 people in hosted accommodation.

People will be entitled to a Temporary Protection Weekly Payment of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child, subject to an income test, until they return to Ukraine under a voluntary return and reintegration programme.

It was agreed that the government will work with the EU on the development of such a scheme, with a probable commencement of March 2027.

The scheme would be led at EU level and include coordinated EU returns and support provided to Ukraine to assist the country in reintegrating its citizens and contribute to Ukraine’s recovery.

The European Commission is currently developing a pilot returns programme to run this year.