The Government has agreed to begin withdrawing State-provided accommodation that is currently housing 16,000 Ukrainian refugees.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan secured the agreement this afternoon at the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs.
Ukrainian people who arrived in Ireland before March 2024 will no longer be entitled to state-contracted commercial accommodation, with the exception of “highly vulnerable” people or those with barriers to independence.
In order to continue being accommodated, it’s been proposed that people who fall into those categories will be required to apply and self-declare their need for accommodation, supported by evidence. This accommodation will be in a different location and setting and will be similar to designated accommodation centres.
The withdrawal will begin in August on a phased basis over six months. People affected will be given a minimum of three months’ notice.
We were joined on The Agenda this morning by the National Coordinator at The Ukraine Civil Society Forum, Brian Killoran, to get his thoughts on this.
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