Government to reduce number of accommodation contracts for people fleeing Ukraine war

The Government is to reduce the number of accommodation contracts for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The move was announced by Integration Minister and Green Party leader Rodric O’Gorman. The decision means many hotels in towns and villages around the country will become available to tourists and the local community.

The minister said it was being done for a number of reasons including a “decrease in numbers needing accommodation, compliance concerns, value for money and greater oversight of the portfolio”.

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He added: My Department has decided to prioritise ending contracts with non-compliant providers as part of this consolidation. This includes ending contracts where the Fire Safety Assessment Documentation has not been submitted within the required timeframe.

“In terms of moving people every effort is being made Beneficiaries Of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) as local as possible.

“However, given the number of moves that are taking place, this is not always possible.

“Due to the scale involved the only factors that can be considered when allocating follow-on accommodation are HSE-assessed medical needs.

“It is not possible to take other issues such as employment or school places into account when allocating follow-on accommodation, and people will be encouraged to make their own arrangements if they wish to stay in the current area.

“I appreciate that this may not be easy for people and that moving location may be disruptive.”

Mr O’Gorman was responding to a parliamentary question on the issue from the Wexford Labour TD Brendan Howlin.

He also confirmed that Ukrainian citizens here are entitled to make their own arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation. More than 100,000 Ukrainian people landed in Ireland after the outbreak of the war in 2022.

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