According to the report Irish Independent, in Ireland there is a trend towards mass departure of Ukrainian refugees from public housing. About 315 people leave the program every week, while three times less new refugees arrive in the country.
As of November 2023, the number of Ukrainians living in state-owned housing decreased from 60,000 to slightly less than 50,000.
In the Department of Integration of Ireland, this trend is explained by the desire of refugees for independence.
“The change in policy and the number of arrivals and those leaving our homes encourages us to think now about a future phase that involves much greater independence in relation to Ukrainian refugees, and we will support thisand”, said the Secretary General of the Department of Integration, Kevin McCarthy.
It is worth noting that unlike asylum seekers, EU countries do not have international obligations to provide housing to Ukrainian refugees.
In March 2024, the Irish government also reduced the amount of payments for newly arrived Ukrainians from €220 per week to €38.80, which corresponds to the level of payments for asylum seekers. In addition, Ukrainian refugees who arrive in the country after March 2024 can live in public housing for only 90 days. After this period, they will continue to receive full payments, but will already be looking for housing on their own.
