The Green Party has called on the government to continue the Accommodation Recognition Payment for Ukrainian refugees.
The end of February marked four years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, with over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland; current figures estimate that roughly 80,000 refugees have settled permanently in Ireland.
Since the invasion began in 2022, 41,789 refugees have been living in 23,341 Irish households, supported by the Accommodation Recognition Payment.
The payment, which was initially set at €800 a month in 2022, has been cut to €600 a month in recent times.
The government’s once un-wavering support for Ukrainian refugees has fallen by the wayside since the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/independent coalition took office in January 2025; last year, it was announced that Ukranian refugees will only be allowed to stay in state accommodation for 30 days compared to the last government’s rules.
The government has confirmed that the scheme will be in place until March 2027, but have not given an indication if the current rates will apply once March 2027 rolls around.
Green leader Roderic O’Gorman noted that refugees aren’t entitled to HAP or allowed to access homelessness services and said that it was important that the scheme is continued.
O’Gorman cited a report from the Department of Housing, who asked the Residental Tencnies Board to research the impacts of ending the ARP scheme and how it would impact the rental market; said report is currently on ice, with no government plans to publish the report, implying that it would have a minimal impact.
The Dublin West TD said, “it is the view of the Green Party that, unless there is evidence of a meaningful negative impact on the rental market across the country, the ARP should be continued at the €600 rate.”
Green Party foreign affairs spokesperson Janet Horner noted the contribution that beneficiaries of temporary protection have made to Irish communities since arriving in 2022.
The North Inner City councillor said it was the view of that party that supplying non-lethal aid to Ukraine should continue.
The Dublin Central by-election candidate said, “it’s hard to believe it has been 4 years since the shocking invasion of Ukraine happened; in that time so many lives have been lost and a huge number of people have been displaced.”
“Ireland has become home to tens of thousands of Ukrainian people and many of our communities are richer for their participation,” she said.
“On the fourth anniversary, we must renew our commitment to humanitarian support for Ukraine and Ukrainians and call again for meaningful engagement in peace resolution. The Green Party was proud to support this funding for Ukraine in both the Dail and the European Parliament,” she said.