Colm Brophy
Dublin South-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“The Minister has outlined very clearly our intention in relation to this matter. We have always been very clear that the ARP would be a temporary provision. It was introduced in 2022 as a response to a crisis, always with the view that it would be phased out. That remains the case.”
“It is important to look at the ARP in the context of what is happening here. We are reducing the payment back to the original rate in order to fulfil the original intention. We thank the people for the generosity they showed in opening their homes to Ukrainians who came to live with us here in Ireland.”
“It is important, as the Minister has mentioned, to recognise and thank all of the people who participated in the scheme, and to recognise the work of the Irish Red Cross and the many people who have made the scheme a success. We recognise that there are difficulties with schemes, and that is why this one has been under constant review.”
“What we want to work towards is a solution which recognises that contribution and which examines how, in the longer term, we can work with the Ukrainian people in our country and with the Government of Ukraine in order to ensure that a pathway exists for them to either continue to live here or, if they so choose, to return home.”
“lreland ratified the convention on International Women's Day, 8 March 2019. Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026 is structured around the four pillars of the convention, namely, prevention, protection, prosecution and policy co-ordination.”
“Some of the treaty provisions relate to the justice sphere and, therefore, Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In light of Ireland’s position under Protocol 21, the court determined that two decisions were necessary, one to cover areas coming within scope of Protocol 21 where an opt-in is required and another t…”
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“Department officials are considering proposals made by the European Commission on these matters. While the ARP scheme is not without issues, an extension is required. Otherwise, it would risk placing significant pressures on an already strained private rental market. The potential loss of hosted accommodation risks displacing Ukrainian citizens, many of whom would be forced to compete in the private rental market or face precarious living conditions. Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 introduced the scheme with a termination date of 31 March 2023. That date reflected the duration of temporary protection under the 2001 Council directive. The directive has subsequently been extended a number of times and, each time, the ARP scheme has been extended to mirror those extensions.”
“As I indicated in this Chamber last week, and subject to agreement at Government level, it is our intention to reduce the monthly payment rate to €400 later this year, returning it to its original rate. This should enable an orderly and gradual winding-down of the scheme with due regard to all those involved. Further steps will be considered in due course to ensure an orderly exit. More broadly, I can confirm that planning for the conclusion of temporary protection is actively under way. That work is being advanced by the senior officials group reporting to the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs. In addition to extending the directive, member states are considering measures for a co-ordinated transition out of temporary protection when the directive is no longer in force.”
“The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, brought forward by my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne, was recently enacted. Part 3 of this Act introduces changes to the eligibility criteria for the ARP scheme which are intended to safeguard rental properties for tenants. From 3 March 2026, properties that were registered with the Residential Tenancies Board at any time since 4 March 2022 will no longer qualify for the ARP scheme. Tenants will also no longer be eligible to apply for the scheme. This legislative change is intended to mitigate any impact the scheme may have on the private rental market. Should the scheme be extended, it is our intention to plan for a phased and orderly exit from the scheme.”
“However, a survey from the Irish Red Cross found that the vast majority of hosts, 91%, are not landlords and have no plan to become landlords. For many, the primary motivation has been solidarity with Ukraine. Rather than interfering with the rental market, the ARP scheme has been, I believe, responsible for introducing a stream of accommodation that would not otherwise have been available. That is a view expressed by a number of support organisations in submissions to the Department regarding an extension to the scheme. I reiterate that the payment is not a rent subsidy and is not available where there is a rental arrangement in place. However, I am aware of Deputies' concerns regarding the scheme’s potential impact on the private rental market, and steps have already been taken to address this.”
“Since quarter 4 of 2024, the number of beneficiaries in hosted accommodation has exceeded those in contracted accommodation and continues to do so. To date, approximately €438 million has been paid to almost 28,000 recipients in respect of hosting over 64,000 temporary protection beneficiaries. Currently, some 42,000 Ukrainian citizens are being accommodated in more than 23,500 properties with the support of the scheme. I acknowledge the concerns previously expressed in this House about the potential impact of the ARP scheme on the private rental market. I recognise that it could be the case, particularly in some rural areas, that €600 a month tax-free may be more beneficial to an owner than making the property available on the rental market.”
“It has been pivotal in diverting Ukrainian individuals and families away from State-contracted accommodation, which is often in hotels and guesthouses, allowing these beds to be returned to the hospitality sector. The scheme is also far more cost-effective for the Exchequer. The average cost of the ARP per person per night is €11, compared to €50 per night in commercial contracted accommodation. The scheme has allowed the Department to move away from a total reliance on tourism and hospitality settings. This has enabled the Department to consolidate its contracted accommodation portfolios. As the number in hosted accommodation has increased, the number in State-contracted accommodation has fallen from a high of almost 60,000 at the end of 2023 to under 20,000 at present.”
“As we have moved from a crisis response, we have had to consider and taper our supports. As a result, the monthly payment rate was reduced from €800 to €600 in June 2025. This policy change was intended to mitigate the scheme’s perceived impact on the private rental market. The ARP scheme is due to end on 31 March 2026. However, it is intended to extend the scheme by ministerial order to 31 March 2027, subject to Oireachtas approval. This would mirror the extension of the application of the temporary protection directive to the war in Ukraine. It will also provide certainty to hosts and to those accommodated in hosted arrangements. This scheme is not only a means of recognising the part played by hosts, but has also been instrumental in supporting Ukrainians to integrate within local communities nationwide.”
“The scheme’s monthly rate is not linked to the costs incurred by the person providing accommodation. It is merely intended to recognise the valuable contribution of those who host. It should be noted that the ARP scheme does not apply where there is a rental agreement in place and is not intended to substitute for rent. When the ARP scheme was introduced, the monthly payment rate was set at €400 per property. The rate was subsequently increased to €800 from 1 December 2022 to coincide with the introduction of the offer-a-home scheme. The offer-a-home scheme is administered by local authorities in conjunction with the Local Government Management Agency and has been invaluable in making mainly holiday homes available as accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection.”
“The ARP scheme was introduced at the outset of the greatest crisis in Europe since the Second World War, which has seen 125,000 people from Ukraine seek temporary protection in Ireland. Sole reliance on accommodation procured from the hospitality sector was not a sustainable response to the needs of those seeking accommodation. Thousands of Irish households generously offered shelter, safety and warmth to those fleeing conflict in Ukraine. The ARP scheme was introduced in July 2022 to recognise the valued contribution of those who opened their homes to provide shelter to people seeking temporary protection in Ireland. It involves a tax-free monthly payment of €600 per property used to accommodate beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine, irrespective of whether the property is vacant or shared with the host.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2026, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 23rd February, 2026. I thank the Members of Dáil Éireann for making time today to discuss this motion concerning the order the Minister, Deputy Jim O’Callaghan, and I propose to make. The motion is to extend the termination date of the financial contribution scheme for hosts of temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine, known as the accommodation recognition payment, ARP, scheme. The extension of the scheme is the only item for consideration today.”
“People have done a wonderful job in providing a room. They have also provided a sense of belonging. I also acknowledge the great work of the Irish Red Cross, the International Organization for Migration, the local authorities and other organisations that have supported hosting arrangements. I also recognise the great work of local communities and how they have actively supported families in integrating through access to employment and education. The scheme has been an effective instrument of public policy which we cannot afford to abruptly lose. Approval of this motion will provide certainty to all of those involved in the hosting arrangements.”
“In considering the ARP scheme extension, we were mindful of the need to continue to make provision for a financial contribution to assist in maintaining the availability of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection. I want to be clear that the motion relates only to the extension of the scheme for a further year and nothing else. The 2022 Act requires a draft order to be laid before and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. Approval of the motion in Seanad Éireann today is essential to ensure the continuation of the scheme beyond March 2026. Should the scheme's extension be approved by the Oireachtas, we will continue to monitor it to ensure it remains fit for purpose and to allow for an orderly wind-down of the scheme to commence. I would like to take opportunity to thank all those involved in hosting.”
“In a continued spirit of unity and support for the Ukrainian Government and its citizens, the European Commission has extended temporary protection until March 2027. It is therefore appropriate to make an order to extend the ARP scheme to the end of March 2027. Section 4(2) of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 allows us to make such a change to a date considered appropriate following consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for public expenditure and reform. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and I have undertaken those consultations and both Ministers have expressed support for the extension of the scheme to us.”
“While the ARP scheme is not without issues, an extension is required as, otherwise, it would be at risk of placing significant pressures on an already strained private rental market. The potential loss of hosted accommodation risks displacing Ukrainian citizens, many of whom would be forced to compete in the private rental market or face precarious living conditions. In regard to today's proposals, Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 introduced the scheme with a termination date of 31 March 2023. That date reflected the duration of temporary protection under the 2001 Council directive. The directive had subsequently been extended a number of times and each time the ARP scheme has been extended to mirror those extensions.”
“This should enable an orderly and gradual winding down of the scheme with due regard to all those involved. Further steps will be considered in due course to ensure an orderly an exit. More broadly, I can confirm that planning for the conclusion of temporary protection is actively under way. This work is being advanced by the senior officials group reporting to the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs. In addition to extending the directive, member states are considering measures for a co-ordinated transition out of temporary protection when the directive is no longer in force. Department officials are considering proposals made by the European Commission on these matters.”
“Part 3 of that Act introduces changes to the eligibility criteria for the ARP scheme which are intended to safeguard rental properties for tenants. From 3 March last, properties that were registered with the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, at any time since 4 March 2022 will no longer qualify for the ARP scheme. Tenants will also no longer be eligible to apply for the scheme. This legislative change is intended to mitigate any impact that the scheme may have on the private rental market. Should the scheme be extended, it is also our intention to plan for a phased and orderly exit from the scheme. As I indicated last week, and subject to the agreement of the Government, it is our intention to reduce the monthly payment to €400 later this year, returning it to the original rate.”
“Rather than interfering with the rental market, the ARP scheme has been responsible for introducing a stream of accommodation that would not otherwise have been available. This view was expressed by a number of support organisations in submissions to the Department regarding the extension of the scheme. I reiterate that the payment is not a rent subsidy. It is not available where there is a rental arrangement in place. However, I am aware of Senators' concerns regarding the scheme's potential impact on the private rental market and I have already taken steps to address this. The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, brought forward by my colleague the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, was recently enacted.”
“To date, approximately €438 million has been paid to almost 28,000 recipients in respect of hosting over 64,000 temporary protection beneficiaries. Currently some 42,000 Ukrainian citizens are being accommodated in more than 23,500 properties with the support of the scheme. I acknowledge the concerns previously expressed in this House on the potential impact of the ARP scheme on the private rental market. I recognise that it could be the case, particularly in some rural areas, that €600 per month tax free may be more beneficial to an owner than making a property available for the rental market. However, a survey from the Irish Red Cross found that the vast majority of hosts, some 91%, are not landlords and have no plans to become landlords. For many, their primary motivation has been solidarity with Ukraine.”
“The average cost of the accommodation recognition payment per person per night is €11 compared with an average of €50 per night in commercial contracted accommodation. The scheme has allowed the Department to move away from a total reliance on tourism and hospitality settings. This has enabled the Department to consolidate its contracted accommodation portfolio. As the numbers in hosted accommodation have increased, the numbers in State contracted accommodation have fallen from a high of almost 60,000 at the end of 2023 to under 20,000 at present. Since quarter 4 of 2024, the number of beneficiaries in hosted accommodation has exceeded the number of those in contracted accommodation and continues to do so.”
“However, it is intended to extend the scheme to 31 March 2027 by ministerial order, subject to Oireachtas approval. This would mirror the extension of the application of the temporary protection directive to the war in Ukraine. It would also provide certainty, not only to hosts but also to those accommodated in hosted arrangements. The scheme is not only a means of recognising the part played by hosts, it is also instrumental in supporting Ukrainians to integrate within local communities nationwide. It has been pivotal in delivering Ukrainian individuals and their families away from State-contracted accommodation, which is often in hotels and guest houses, allowing those beds to be returned to the hospitality sector. The scheme is also far more cost-effective for the Exchequer.”
“When the scheme was introduced, the monthly payment rate was originally set at €400 per property. The rate was subsequently increased to €800 from 1 December 2022 to coincide with the introduction of the offer a home scheme. The latter is administered by local authorities in conjunction with the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA. The offer a home scheme has been invaluable in making holiday homes in the main available as accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection. As we have moved from a crisis response, we have had to consider and taper our supports. As a result, the monthly payment rate was reduced from €800 to €600 in June of last year. This policy change was intended to mitigate the scheme's perceived impact on the private rental market. The ARP scheme is due to end on 31 March next.”
“Thousands of Irish households very generously offered shelter, safety and warmth to those fleeing conflict in Ukraine. The ARP scheme was introduced in July 2022 to recognise the valued contribution of those who opened to their homes to provide shelter to people seeking temporary protection in Ireland. It evolved into a tax-free monthly payment of €600 per property used to accommodate beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine, irrespective of whether the property was vacant or shared with a host. The monthly rate offered under the scheme is not linked to the costs incurred by the person providing the accommodation. It is merely intended to recognise the valuable contribution of those who host. The ARP scheme does not apply where there is a rental agreement in place and is not intended to substitute for rent.”
“I thank the Members of the Seanad for making time to discuss this motion, which concerns an order that the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, and I propose to make. The motion is to extend the termination date for the financial contribution scheme for hosts of temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine, known as the accommodation recognition payment, ARP. The extension of the scheme is the only item for consideration today. The ARP scheme was introduced at the time of the greatest crisis in Europe since the Second World War, which saw 125,000 people from Ukraine seek temporary protection in Ireland. Sole reliance on accommodation procured from the hospitality sector was not sustainable to respond to the needs of those seeking accommodation supports.”
“I want to see a system that works for children but I also want to see a system that works for the State by ensuring we have a process in place that enables us to deal with international protection applicants coming in, to provide them with the ability to make their claim and to have in the system a place that enables us to do that in a very speedy, effective and correct way where everybody has the opportunity to have access to what they need and, therefore, an adjudication can be reached, and people have certainty. The current situation of people being in a system for many years does not serve anybody. That is why the reception conditions directive will be addressed through this but I very much believe in the system mentioned by the Senator.”
“I acknowledge the earlier points made by the Senator. The provisions of the reception conditions directive will be given effect by new sections that are proposed to be inserted into the Bill by amendments that we will discuss later. On the system which we operate, many of the things that the Senator has outlined are exactly what I always want to see. I want to see a system that works, is fair and deals with people in a compassionate way. I want to see a system that works to the best, which is why I believe what we are doing in the Bill is trying to achieve all of that.”
“This would cause particular difficulties in ensuring the State meets its obligations under Article 19.1 of the reception conditions directive to provide material reception conditions to applicants from the moment they make their application for international protection.”
“A number of considerations such as the condition of accommodation centres, the provision of adequate healthcare for persons accommodated in those centres and the treatment of applicants assessed as having special reception needs while in IPAS accommodation also need to be taken into account when determining whether the State is meeting its obligations under the reception conditions directive. The amendment does not add any substantive value to the Bill and therefore I do not intend to accept it. On amendment No. 381, rather than creating effective oversight of the reception system this amendment would cause delays in the expansion of IPAS accommodation in instances where the State is experiencing a high level of demand for accommodation and would hamper the ability of operational staff to respond to this demand.”
“Moreover, the 85% figure in the proposed section 224(2) contained in the amendment appears to be an arbitrary one with no legal basis in national, international or EU law. I am hesitant to implement such a measure as it may be misinterpreted and construed by some as an attempt to impose a maximum number of persons who may apply for international protection. In addition, the publication of figures under paragraphs (a) and (b) of the proposed section 224(1) would not provide proof the State is in compliance with its obligations under the reception conditions directive.”
“I thank the Senators. I propose to respond to amendments Nos. 16, 380 and 381 together. I am not accepting the amendments. I believe amendment No. 16 would restrict the State's ability to deal with the capacity issues in a flexible manner. Having a fixed definition for a component of the asylum process that is subject to fluctuation depending on the numbers of individuals seeking international protection would limit the State's ability to respond to sudden increases in arrival and would place the State in a legally precarious position were we to exceed a set national capacity figure. As for amendment No. 380, it would lead to an unnecessary level of rigidity and create operational difficulties if implemented.”
“We want an efficient and effective service that allows for the fact of those 12 weeks and the fact people are getting a turnaround. There are some exceptional reasons for the surge in demand in terms of the number of people applying. There are particular surge points at different times a year where the numbers go up. We are putting the technology and the systems in place that we believe will allow us to manage this and deliver on the timeline we want to see for people getting their renewals.”
“I will do so. As part of that assurance, it is important to say if a person's IRP card has expired and he or she is unable to obtain his or her new one by the expiry date, he or she is still legally permitted to remain in the State. His or her existing IRP card has another maximum of 12 weeks. I fully acknowledge it is frustrating and worrying for people going through this process but, again, I assure the Deputy resources are being put into it to try to eliminate the delays being experienced because of high volume and demand and that we believe we will be in a much better position in terms of catching up and providing the service in the timeline we would like to see for everybody going forward.”
“That notice is also available on the website, so there should be no ambiguity in that area for employees who are worried, or for employers in terms of this.”
“I expect this will address the delays currently being experienced. The registration office also provides a live processing date, which is updated every Monday, and is available on the website of the Department. It is currently processing applications submitted from 22 December 2025. It is open to customers to submit their applications up to 12 weeks in advance to allow sufficient time for an application to be processed and I would encourage people to take advantage of that. Deputy Burke mentioned employers and the legality of employment to me, and I am sure he intended to mention it today. We have issued a notice to employers regarding the legality of employing someone awaiting renewal.”
“I begin by joining the Deputy in offering my sympathies to Deputy Colm Burke. The registration office of the Department is currently experiencing an exceptionally high demand for immigration permission renewal applications. This has regrettably reduced the timeline of the service to our customers. I understand that the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants but I assure the Deputy the Department is exploring every avenue available to facilitate as many customers as possible. I had a meeting with my officials on this matter in the past couple of weeks, primarily to increase that processing capacity. The registration office is already open seven days a week to facilitate customers, with a team working considerable overtime as well to try to facilitate this. Further measures are being put in place to reduce processing times.”
“While I acknowledge what the Deputy is saying about the scheme and some of its benefits in freeing up accommodation, at this point the best way to deal with it is the orderly wind down we are proposing and moving to the next stage.”
“I acknowledge what the Deputy is saying but we have to remember how the process of temporary protection came about. It was a temporary process in reaction to accommodation being made available to provide for Ukrainians who had fled from a war. It was designed and put in place as a very particular measure and to facilitate people welcoming people into their homes. It is something for which its time and place is naturally coming to a conclusion. There is a better and fairer way to do it, which allows everyone to have the same access rights to accommodation. The longer term position for Ukrainians who either will or will not return home at the end of the war is that we are putting in place a situation where access to accommodation will be equal and fair with everybody else.”
“We will work to a process of making it very clear the ARP scheme will be coming to an end and will have a phase out on it. I want to make that clear to the Deputy.”
“The scheme has worked, but the time for the scheme should come to an orderly conclusion. Like all temporary schemes, I believe you must look, introduce where needed and phase out where it is no longer appropriate. It is therefore my view that we will be extending the scheme as indicated for 12 months. This will be part of a phasing out process of the ARP. It will also be the intention to reduce the payment from €600 to €400 as part of that phasing out of ARP. That will enable us to have a gradual winding down of the scheme. Ukrainians who have enjoyed temporary protection in Ireland are a welcome part of our community. There are many opportunities for them to avail of housing in their own right and many Ukrainians are doing so at the moment.”
“Awarded Claims – Property Distribution by County County February 2025 February 2026 Carlow 442 538 Cavan 359 442 Clare 562 633 Cork 1504 1791 Donegal 1812 2177 Dublin 3071 3399 Galway 989 1120 Kerry 1182 1443 Kildare 656 816 Kilkenny 242 300 Laois 300 376 Leitrim 372 471 Limerick 861 1037 Longford 339 402 Louth 612 730 Mayo 1297 1542 Meath 528 635 Monaghan 275 305 Offaly 437 537 Roscommon 112 134 Sligo 501 619 Tipperary 820 1014 Waterford 753 886 Westmeath 612 730 Wexford 883 1052 Wicklow 429 477 Totals 19950 23606”
“The scheme currently extends to March 2026 but it may be extended by ministerial order - as I mentioned earlier, a motion will be before the Dáil next week in relation to that - in accordance with the legislation. The Deputy may be aware that motions are to be considered in this House and in the Seanad next week that will extend the scheme to March 2027 in line with the current application of the EU temporary protection directive. By the end of February, the ARP scheme had supported over 42,000 temporary protection beneficiaries accommodated in over 23,500 properties at a monthly cost of approximately €14.5 million. I am providing in tabular form with this response the information sought by the Deputy.”
“I thank the Deputy. The accommodation recognition payment was introduced to recognise the generosity of people who opened their homes to provide accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection in Ireland who fled the war in Ukraine. The ARP scheme is provided in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of our Department. The scheme involves a monthly payment of €600 to a host in respect of providing accommodation in accordance with the rules of the scheme. The ARP is not rent and is not payable where there is a rental agreement in place.”
“I would hope, therefore, that in conjunction with the local authorities, the necessary tourism boards would put in place a process to ensure that those beds go back into hospitality.”
“Obviously, that is not within my area. That would be more within the area of the Minister with responsibility on the tourism side. From our point of view as a Department, what we want to do is facilitate the return of beds to the sector so that they are there and available. Like the Deputy, I would like to see, particularly in a wonderful county like Clare, that those beds would go back into the accommodation, tourism and hospitality sectors. Hospitality and tourism are key drivers for economics in a whole host of counties in our country and are very important. Therefore, as an initial stage, what we are doing here is making the beds available again by terminating the contracts and moving out of this area.”
“I have supplied the Deputy as part of my answer to him a table in tabular form with all the information for every county. I have outlined the total figures to him. It is important to recognise that, as part of an ongoing process, we are moving toward a reduction and eventual elimination of this accommodation situation. There will be a motion coming forward in the Dáil next week regarding the extension of the accommodation recognition payment, ARP. Temporary protection is something that was brought in by the European Commission across Europe, and we wanted to support it in that. As we look to the future and changes in that area, though, we want to see businesses going back to what they were doing originally and having the ability to put beds and accommodation back into local communities for the benefit of those local communities and areas.”
“of beds Carlow 8 281 7 200 Cavan 19 687 13 221 Clare 31 2610 18 1041 Cork 67 4248 50 2121 Donegal 56 2504 41 719 Dublin* 69 4486 64 3536 Galway 43 2348 36 1225 Kerry 111 5867 102 3449 Kildare 7 1822 6 1049 Kilkenny 13 942 13 720 Laois 6 202 6 165 Leitrim 12 450 10 258 Limerick 23 1967 14 1197 Longford 6 167 5 140 Louth 16 912 11 761 Mayo 29 1823 21 924 Meath 15 1369 9 613 Monaghan 6 250 6 115 Offaly 18 1172 16 791 Roscommon 8 465 6 186 Sligo 28 1355 20 431 Tipperary 26 918 17 541 Waterford 13 918 10 643 Westmeath 16 1234 11 463 Wexford 32 1665 22 920 Wicklow 16 1339 14 988 TOTAL 694 42,001 548 23,417 *Please note that the figure for Dublin includes Citywest with 1,704 beds.”
“So far in 2026, 25 contracts have been terminated and we have received three notices from providers for termination of contracts. In relation to County Clare, as of the end of February 2025, there were 31 contracts, which was equivalent to 2,610 beds. To give the Deputy an indication, as of the end of February 2026, there were only 18 contracts, with 1,041 beds, representing a very significant return of beds from this area. Additional information not given on the floor of the House With this reply, I am providing the Deputy as requested with a table that shows the number of contracts and beds by county at the end of February 2025 and end February 2026. February 2025 February 2026 County No. of contracts No. of beds No. of contracts No.”
“This is a significant and welcome reduction from a peak of, believe it or not, 60,000 people in November 2023. All accommodation contracts by my Department are temporary in nature. Persons with temporary protection are advised of that when requesting access to be assigned to temporary accommodation. Approximately 531 contracts are in operation. Our current contracted accommodation capacity is approximately 22,450 beds. It includes hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts. In sourcing and securing accommodation, the central consideration is the safety and security of the displaced people fleeing the war in Ukraine. In 2024 and 2025, approximately 420 and 195 contracts, respectively, were able to be terminated in terms of changes that we are making in the reduction in numbers.”
“As the Deputy knows, Ireland remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine. My Department continues to work as part of a whole-of-government response to the war in Ukraine with a focus on providing access to emergency, but temporary, accommodation to those fleeing the conflict. For new arrivals, State-contracted accommodation is provided for 30 days in designated centres, together with supports to assist them in making independent living arrangements for those who wish to remain for the duration of temporary protection. As of 13 March 2026, over 125,700 people have fled Ukraine and received temporary protection here. Of those, over 94,300 have requested and been provided with access to State-supported accommodation. Almost 19,200 people are currently in State-contracted accommodation.”
“I understand that this matter will be given due consideration during the drafting process. The objective for bringing forward these amendments is clear, namely to strengthen the Bill, ensure it is workable in practice and deliver a spent convictions regime that is fair, proportionate and capable of being effectively implemented. In doing so, we strengthen not only our justice system but also our society as a whole.”
“We will need to understand how the amended regime operates in practice and whether it has the intended impact on employment access and reintegration. In the context of the proposed amendment to the Employment Equality Act 1998, the intention is that a person with spent convictions could not be treated less favourably or discriminated against by a prospective employer in relation to access to employment or conditions of employment. In the time since this Bill was last debated in 2021, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has carried out a review of the Equality Acts and published the general scheme of the equality (miscellaneous provisions) Bill 2024. The Joint Committee on Children and Equality recommended in its pre-legislative scrutiny report that this issue should be addressed in that proposed legislation.”