Govt to withdraw tourist accommodation housing Ukrainians

The Government is to withdraw tourist and commercial accommodation currently housing up to 16,000 people from Ukraine.

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

The move had recently been flagged by Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy.

It was agreed to withdraw State-contracted commercial accommodation to pre-March 2024 residents, with the exception of those highly vulnerable and those with barriers to independence.

The process will begin in August on a phased basis over a six-month period.

People will be afforded a minimum of three months' notice of this change.

The properties will be returned to tourism and potentially the private rental sector.

It was also agreed to wind down the €600 Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme in the last four months of this year and to end it next March.

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

The Government will work with the EU on the development of a Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme to Ukraine with a probable commencement of March 2027.