Ireland plans to cancel housing payments for Ukrainians and change visa rules

Ireland plans to cancel housing payments for Ukrainians and change visa rules

Ireland is preparing to gradually phase out housing payments for Ukrainian refugees and amend visa policies to encourage their return home. It is noted that the country aims to reduce the burden on its social system while maintaining support only for those who are economically active.

This was reported by The Sunday Times.

The Irish government has already prepared a document warning that without a clear action plan after the expiration of the directive (extended until 2027 but potentially ending earlier if the war concludes), the international protection system could become overwhelmed.

To date, approximately 120,000 temporary protection orders have been issued to Ukrainians in Ireland. The document, which will be presented to ministers, states that after the directive expires, Ukrainians will be "facilitated to return to Ukraine on a permanent basis." Support for those who remain should be "fair, lawful, and appropriate."

At the same time, the government plans to review visa policies for Ukrainians working in low-paid sectors such as construction, healthcare, and social work. Special short-term visas or residence permits may be introduced for this category, while Ukrainians with higher incomes will have the opportunity to obtain resident status.

According to the publication, nearly 4,000 Ukrainians work in critical sectors in Ireland, filling staffing gaps. The government acknowledges their contribution but seeks to make the system more balanced to avoid overloading the labor market and housing sector.

One of the key points of the reform will be the gradual termination of the payment program for homeowners hosting Ukrainian refugees. At the beginning of 2024, the amount of these payments was already reduced from 800 to 600 euros per month, and now the government plans to fully end the program by the end of 2026. Currently, over 42,000 Ukrainians reside in 23,000 properties whose owners receive state compensation for hosting them.

Additionally, around 20,500 Ukrainians live in commercial housing rented by the state for temporary accommodation. Separate rules apply to them, but the government warns that this program will also be gradually phased out in 2026.

According to government data, Ukrainians who remain under state care may be required to pay a portion of their accommodation costs, ranging from 15 to 238 euros per month, depending on their income level. Ireland has one of the highest rates of refugee intake per capita in Western Europe. Since the start of the full-scale war, over 4.8 million Ukrainians have benefited from temporary protection in EU countries, with Ireland hosting a significant share of them.

At the same time, the Irish government emphasizes that long-term support in its current format poses risks to the housing system, social services, and labor market. If a transition to a new model is not initiated, the social protection system could face the threat of collapse.

Ministers will discuss how to balance humanitarian obligations toward Ukrainians with the need to stabilize the domestic situation in the country. The government’s decision is expected to be made in the coming weeks.