Irish Government Abandons Plan to End State-Funded Housing for Ukrainians

The Irish Government has decided against a proposal to phase out State-funded commercial accommodation for Ukrainian individuals by March 2026. This plan, which had been considered by officials in December 2025, raised concerns over accommodation costs and availability, but has now been officially dropped by the Department of Justice.

In a statement, the Department of Justice clarified that there is “no plan to phase out all State-funded accommodation contracts by March 2026.” The department emphasized its ongoing efforts to consolidate and rationalize its accommodation portfolio, aiming for better compliance with standards and enhanced value for money. The department is in the process of renewing contracts for existing accommodation that meets its requirements.

During a meeting on December 2, 2025, senior officials from what is now the Department of Justice reviewed a report detailing expenditure on accommodation for Ukrainian refugees seeking temporary protection in Ireland due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting highlighted the financial implications of a policy introduced in March 2024, which limited the duration of State-funded accommodation for Ukrainians to 90 days. This policy was reported to have successfully reduced costs associated with housing.

Additionally, officials discussed strategies to renegotiate or renew contracts with accommodation providers, aiming to decrease the number of vacant rooms in contracted facilities. A “key policy proposal” emerged from this meeting, which included extending the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) beyond March 2025. This tax-free payment supports individuals hosting Ukrainian refugees in their homes, and it has since been extended to March 2026.

The meeting also considered a proposal to remove the entitlement of Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland before March 2024 to return to State-funded accommodation after leaving it. The discussion included the potential phase-out of all State-funded commercial accommodation contracts by March 2026, except for the most vulnerable beneficiaries of temporary protection.

According to the minutes from the December meeting, the management board expressed support for these proposals, discussing both their merits and implementation challenges. This meeting occurred shortly after the 2024 general election on November 29, when the management board agreed to prioritize engagement with the incoming Minister regarding these policy options.

Following the formation of the new Government, the responsibility for integration policies transitioned from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to the Department of Justice on May 1, 2026. The Department of Children advised that all inquiries related to integration should now be directed to the Department of Justice.

As the Government reevaluates its accommodation policies, it has also begun to reduce the support provided to Ukrainian individuals seeking refuge in Ireland. Since November 10, 2025, those arriving in the country after March 2024 are now eligible for only 30 days of State-funded accommodation, rather than the previous 90 days. Furthermore, due to ongoing accommodation shortages, individuals who previously held temporary protection status in another EU member state no longer qualify for State-funded accommodation in Ireland.

The recent decisions highlight the complexities involved in managing housing for refugees while addressing budgetary constraints and the need for compliance with evolving standards. The situation remains fluid, with further developments anticipated as the Government continues to navigate these challenges.