Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate needs of those fleeing the conflict.
A number of Government decisions and actions that I have taken on the gradual phasing out of accommodation supports have involved discussion with other Departments and Local Authorities as referenced by the Deputy. These include:
The monthly contribution rate per property was reduced from €800 to €600 from 1 June 2025. (S.I. No. 228 of 2025 www.irishstatutebook.ie/2025/en/si/0228.html). This reduction aimed to ensure that temporary and timebound supports for temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine are proportionate and equitable.
From 10 November 2025 Ireland’s accommodation offering to newly arriving people fleeing the war in Ukraine was reduced to a maximum of 30 days. They will be provided with food, laundry, other services and integration supports in Designated Accommodation Centres.
From the 1 January 2026, I made regulations to limit the period that retrospective claims for the ARP scheme can be made to six months from the date of application. S.I. No. 672 of 2025 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2025/si/672/made/en/print?q=21&years=2025) gives effect to this change. This intended to support more effective administration of the scheme and compliance matters.
Under Part 3 of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2026/act/3/enacted/en/) from 3 March 2026, new applications for properties that have been registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) at any time since March 2022 no longer meet the ARP scheme’s eligibility criteria. Tenants in rental properties are no longer eligible to make new applications for the scheme.
In March 2026, following approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas, I made a regulation [S.I. No. 120 of 2026] (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2026/si/120/made/en/print)to set the ARP scheme termination date to 31 March 2027.
Following the Government decision of May 2026 concerning the coordinated approach to transition from Temporary Protection, i made regulations in S.I. No. 368 of 2026 to confirm a reduction of the monthly ARP contribution rate from €600 to €400 from September 2026.
The Government continues to support Ukraine in its long-term recovery. This will include a new alternative permission to live and work here, under the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme, for those who wish to remain in Ireland.
Following the termination of the ARP scheme, hosts can continue to have private arrangements with Ukrainians if they so wish. Measures such as the rent a room scheme are also available.
Beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine are free to explore private rented accommodation either through their own means or with the assistance of Rent Supplement, a means-tested payment administered by the Department of Social Protection to help meet the cost of private rented accommodation.
