The cabinet sub-committee on Ukraine has agreed to reduce the period of State-provided accommodation for newly arriving Ukrainian refugees from 90 days to 30, the Kildare Nationalist reported on 4 November. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan proposed the change after a spike in arrivals, which officials attribute partly to Kyiv easing travel rules for men aged 18–22.
Ireland has welcomed roughly 114,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with about 80,000 remaining in the country. Accommodation costs exceeded €1 billion in 2024, prompting a review of supports for 2025–26.
![Government cuts State accommodation for new Ukrainian arrivals from 90 days to 30]()
Under the new rules, arrivals will be expected to secure private housing or move in with host families within a month, although they will retain the right to work and access social benefits. Critics, including Labour housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan, warn the policy could lead to increased homelessness among refugees and additional strain on local charities.
For employers the shorter accommodation window may increase employee-relations issues: Ukrainian recruits could require emergency housing assistance or relocation grants sooner than before. Companies that rely on Ukrainian seasonal or contract workers should update onboarding packs to reflect the new timeline and liaise with relocation vendors capable of sourcing medium-term rentals.
The government is also analysing whether similar time limits could apply to other temporary-protection beneficiaries if numbers continue to rise, suggesting that support models for displaced persons are entering a more restrictive phase.
Ireland has welcomed roughly 114,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with about 80,000 remaining in the country. Accommodation costs exceeded €1 billion in 2024, prompting a review of supports for 2025–26.
Under the new rules, arrivals will be expected to secure private housing or move in with host families within a month, although they will retain the right to work and access social benefits. Critics, including Labour housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan, warn the policy could lead to increased homelessness among refugees and additional strain on local charities.
For employers the shorter accommodation window may increase employee-relations issues: Ukrainian recruits could require emergency housing assistance or relocation grants sooner than before. Companies that rely on Ukrainian seasonal or contract workers should update onboarding packs to reflect the new timeline and liaise with relocation vendors capable of sourcing medium-term rentals.
The government is also analysing whether similar time limits could apply to other temporary-protection beneficiaries if numbers continue to rise, suggesting that support models for displaced persons are entering a more restrictive phase.
