Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
377. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of temporary protection beneficiaries accommodated in private accommodation supported by the Accommodation Recognition Payment, State-contracted commercial accommodation, the modular or rapid-build housing; and the average annual cost per person within each category. [33606/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced to recognise the contribution of members of the public who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Temporary Protection Beneficiaries displaced by the war in Ukraine. The scheme is provided for under Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Since the start of the ARP scheme in 2022, approximately €468m has been paid to date to over 28,400 hosts in respect of hosting over 65,200 Temporary Protection Beneficiaries displaced by the war in Ukraine. In addition, as of 05 May 2026, there were over 23,500 active claims in payment in respect of hosting over 42,000 Temporary Protection Beneficiaries, at an average monthly cost of approx. €14.5m. The average cost per person, per night under the ARP scheme is €11, or around €4000 per person per year.
517 contracts are in operation to provide accommodation to people with Temporary Protection fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Over 18,500 people are currently in state-contracted accommodation. The current average cost per person per night per contract is €39.50. These costs are continuously reviewed to through an ongoing programme to maximise value for money. If annualised, the average annual cost per person would come to €14,400.
All 11 rapid build sites on state-owned land have been completed with 2,640 residents occupying their new homes, while the site at Columb Barracks in Mullingar has 62 two-bedroom modular units accommodating 259 people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The approved Housing Body, Tuath, has been contracted to manage facilities across all 11 rapid build sites and at the modular site at Columb Barracks. The cost of facilities management is offset by contributions made by the residents comprising €40 per week per unit for utilities and 16% of their weekly income. Given that they are linked to income, contribution amounts fluctuate with the circumstances of residents in the Rapid Build units.
The total net of contributions cost of facilities management at the rapid build sites in 2025 was €1.06m. When averaged across the 2,640 residents, this gives an average cost per person per annum of €403. The total net of contributions cost of facilities management at the Columb Barracks site in 2025 was €75.23k. When averaged across the 259 residents this gives an average cost per person per annum of €290.
