Ministers begin emergency talks on Ukrainian refugee accommodation crisis – The Irish Times

Senior government officials will discuss potential measures to ease the growing pressure on the country’s crisis-hit Ukrainian refugee resettlement system at a meeting on Monday.

More than 40 refugees were left homeless over the weekend when the Citywest transit hub was closed to new arrivals. Some were helped by Dublin City Homeless Services and many returned to Dublin Airport where they slept over the weekend.

A new facility for temporary accommodation of new arrivals is due to open at the airport on Monday evening.

Coalition leaders and key ministers, including Integration Minister Roderick O’Gorman and Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, are due to attend a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on the refugee crisis.

This comes amid a new influx of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and an increase in the number of people from other countries seeking asylum.

Among the options to be explored is the possibility that refugees living in Direct Provision centers – but [who] are at work [and] received status to remain in the state — may be asked to make a financial contribution. The Irish Times understands that this will not be classed as a tenancy to avoid legal complications relating to landlord and tenant agreements.

Refugees from Ukraine staying in hotels could also be asked to contribute to the cost of meals. This measure would be part of an effort to ensure that hotel accommodation is not more attractive than other forms of accommodation that may emerge, and to ensure a standardized approach to support for all refugees from Ukraine.

[ No cap on refugees coming to Ireland but those arriving told they could end up homeless ]

Now the refugees from Ukraine, who live not in hotels, but in a hostel, pay for food themselves.

Ministers will also consider a €400 per month increase for people who have offered properties for Ukrainian refugees to live in, either shared or vacant, although the amount has yet to be determined.

With roughly 25 percent of all hotel rooms in the country being used by refugees and options virtually exhausted, Monday’s meeting will focus on mid- to long-term alternatives.

The meeting is also expected to hear local authorities’ plans to fund the redevelopment of more than 100 empty sites, which could provide 4,000 places. Ministers are due to receive an update on plans to build modular homes for 2,000 people at sites across the country, although they are not expected to go ahead until early in the new year.

There are also proposals to install prefabricated buildings at the former Mullingar barracks.

The Department of Integration hopes to speed up plans to acquire new reception and integration centers to reduce reliance on emergency accommodation such as hotels.