The Ukraine Civil Society Forum, a coalition of 122 organisations in Ireland supporting those displaced by the war in Ukraine, has accused the government of adding “significant trauma and stress” to the Ukrainian community by removing support in the midst of a continuing war.
It follows a government announcement that it will withdraw state accommodation housing Ukrainian refugees and reduce and eventually abolish the monthly payment to hosts.
The Forum drew attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with daily missile and drone attacks targeting civilian areas throughout the country.
Brian Killoran, National Coordinator of the Ukraine Forum, said, “The government’s actions will disproportionately affect children and the most vulnerable – one in three beneficiaries of Temporary Protection is under the age of twenty.”
Last week, UNICEF stated that “no child is safe” in Ukraine, with a 65% increase in child fatalities in March 2026 alone.
Killoran continued, “Withdrawing accommodation support at this time is both irresponsible and traumatising. While we recognise that these were temporary measures, the war in Ukraine still rages on, and there simply isn’t capacity within the private rental market to absorb over 58,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection. These measures will destabilise the situation and heap untold stress upon an already traumatised and exhausted community.”
“It is important to note also that, while the community is in a very difficult situation, they are also integrating – the CSO records over 28,000 active employments among the community here, highlighting their desire to be self-sufficient and their contribution to Ireland’s economy and labour force.”
The Forum stated that the intended cut in monthly payments to those hosting Ukrainians under the Accommodation Recognition Payment is counterproductive and dangerous.
Killoran said, “The government cannot have its cake and eat it too – they cannot cut state-provided accommodation while simultaneously undermining the very scheme absorbing the majority of transfers from state accommodation in hotels, at a quarter of the cost to the state. This will result in much worse conditions for Ukrainians and risks homelessness, destitution, and significant numbers applying for International Protection – the very outcome Temporary Protection was instituted to avoid. If even 10,000 of the Ukrainians in Ireland apply for International Protection, that system will grind to a halt.”
Reflecting on accommodation options for Ukrainians, Killoran highlighted, “Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are not eligible for social housing, Housing Assistance Payment, or homeless services. Their only options are the private rental market or applying for International Protection in the hope of being accommodated.”
He concluded, “Many of those in state-provided accommodation are medically vulnerable and will require long-term support. Ukrainian children and young people are integrated in our schools and communities. The government’s approach to their future accommodation prospects and stability seems to be to turn its back on them – this is damaging not just for that community but for Ireland overall.”
The Ukraine Civil Society Forum is urging the government to:
- Clarify in detail how policy decisions cutting accommodation supports will avoid homelessness, added pressure on the private rental market, and increased applications for international protection.
- Halt any planned cuts to payments to hosts from €600 per month to €400 per month.
- Produce an integration plan to support Ukrainians to become self-sufficient and to continue contributing to our communities.
- Provide clarity on the future of Ukrainians living in Ireland once Temporary Protection measures expire.