Ukrainians in Ireland: the Irish government wants to cut back on aid to refugees

Ireland is changing its support policies for Ukrainians: benefits are being cut and temporary accommodation is being phased out. The authorities are focusing on self-sufficient integration and helping refugees enter the labour market. This will affect the living conditions and financial stability of thousands of people. Find out which changes are coming into effect and how to prepare for them

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

GET

Ireland is gradually reviewing its policy on supporting Ukrainian refugees. After more than two years of large-scale assistance, the government has announced a transition to a new phase — scaling back temporary programmes and encouraging self-reliance.

According to local media, the authorities plan to reduce the level of financial support and change their approach to housing Ukrainians who arrived in the country after the start of the full-scale war.

Reduction in accommodation payments

One of the key changes will be a reduction in payments under the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme, under which Irish hosts receive compensation for accommodating Ukrainians.

According to the plans:

▪️ the monthly payment will be reduced from €600 to €400

▪️ the scheme, which has been in place since 2022, has covered around 42,000 Ukrainians

▪️ accommodation was provided in over 23,500 properties

▪️ the state’s monthly expenditure amounted to around €14.5 million

Despite the fact that the scheme has already been extended until March 2027, the government has openly stated its intention to phase it out gradually.

Ending hotel accommodation

Another important step will be the gradual termination of contracts with hotels used to house refugees.

The Minister of State noted that this model was a temporary measure introduced during an emergency. The authorities now wish to reduce reliance on hotel accommodation and move towards more sustainable solutions.

This means that Ukrainians will have to be more proactive in finding long-term accommodation themselves — on the rental market or through private initiatives.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Focus on self-integration

The Irish authorities emphasise that Ukrainians remain welcome members of society. However, future policy will be aimed at helping people adapt more quickly and become financially independent.

This involves:

▪️ entering the labour market

▪️ renting accommodation independently

▪️ a gradual phasing out of state support

This approach is already being observed in other EU countries, where temporary support programmes are being transformed into long-term integration strategies.

What this means for Ukrainians

In effect, Ireland is signalling a shift from a crisis-response model of assistance to a more ‘standard’ migration policy. This may complicate life for those who were counting on long-term state support.

In the near future, Ukrainians should:

▪️ take into account the reduction in financial assistance

▪️ look for housing options in advance

▪️ integrate more actively into the labour market

In most cases, it’s important not to take risks: consulting an immigration lawyer through Visit Ukraine will help assess your case, properly gather documents, and avoid critical mistakes that could cost you your status.

Remember! European countries continue to provide financial support to Ukrainians under temporary protection. The amount of monthly payments varies significantly depending on the country — from €200 to over €560 per adult. Find out more about the amounts of aid for Ukrainians in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy in 2026.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.