Ireland is changing the rules for accommodating Ukrainian refugees: the period of stay in state-provided housing is being reduced from 90 to 30 days. The government is also preparing a system of housing contributions for those who work.
According to RTE, the government has approved a decision that will allow Ukrainians to live in public housing for free for the first 30 days after arrival. The transition to self-provision of housing or the introduction of co-payments for those who have a job is expected later. Weekly contributions are being considered, which will depend on income and could vary widely - from symbolic amounts to significant payments for higher earnings. According to government estimates, the full implementation of the initiative could take up to a year.
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has said there has been a significant increase in the number of Ukrainian arrivals since the start of autumn. He said that if the trend continues, the authorities will have to look for additional accommodation. In total, about 100,000 Ukrainian citizens have arrived in Ireland since the start of the full-scale war; currently, about 83,000 are in the country.
The government justifies the changes by the need to balance humanitarian support and the capacity of the accommodation system, while maintaining access to basic services and integration programs for newcomers.
