Ukrainian payment for homeowners under review - Minister

The €800 tax-free monthly recognition payment for homeowners who rent their homes to people fleeing the war in Ukraine is under review, the Minister for Integration has confirmed.

However, Roderic O'Gorman warned that any changes to the payment would impact thousands of Ukrainians who have integrated into communities.

He said the payment is an important part of Ireland's efforts to provide temporary protection to Ukrainians in line with Ireland's international obligations.

Any change would require answers around where alternative accommodation would be provided, he said.

Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty said the payment is impacting the supply of homes and it is unfairly pricing other renters out of the market.

He said there are an additional 1,000 homes joining the scheme every month.

"More and more people are questioning this payment," he said, adding that it is paid to people whether they are working or not.

Meanwhile, the Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said migration is not impacting on homelessness, rather it is Fine Gael being in Government.

She said nearly 14,000 people were now homeless, including almost 4,500 children.

"People at home will be interested to know that people seeking international protection are not counted in monthly homeless figures, they're not entitled to stay in emergency accommodation - under this Government they're not even guaranteed a bed or a tent."

"But that hasn't stopped the Taoiseach trying to shift the blame...onto migrants."

She labelled this a blatant dog-whistle.

She asked Roderic O'Gorman if he would speak out about this, to which the Green Party leader said it was vital to be "absolutely factual" about the matter.

Deputy O'Gorman said the facts are that IP applicants have no right to housing supports, no right to HAP and have no right to access homeless services - which also applied to Ukrainians.

Deputy O'Gorman said the Department of Housing would continue to work on homelessness.

Read more: Explained - The Taoiseach's spat over housing and migration stats