Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2026: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-24
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Colm Brophy (FG), Dublin South-West

I thank the Members of the Seanad for making time to discuss this motion, which concerns an order that the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, and I propose to make. The motion is to extend the termination date for the financial contribution scheme for hosts of temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine, known as the accommodation recognition payment, ARP. The extension of the scheme is the only item for consideration today. The ARP scheme was introduced at the time of the greatest crisis in Europe since the Second World War, which saw 125,000 people from Ukraine seek temporary protection in Ireland. Sole reliance on accommodation procured from the hospitality sector was not sustainable to respond to the needs of those seeking accommodation supports. Thousands of Irish households very generously offered shelter, safety and warmth to those fleeing conflict in Ukraine.
The ARP scheme was introduced in July 2022 to recognise the valued contribution of those who opened to their homes to provide shelter to people seeking temporary protection in Ireland.
It evolved into a tax-free monthly payment of €600 per property used to accommodate beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine, irrespective of whether the property was vacant or shared with a host. The monthly rate offered under the scheme is not linked to the costs incurred by the person providing the accommodation. It is merely intended to recognise the valuable contribution of those who host. The ARP scheme does not apply where there is a rental agreement in place and is not intended to substitute for rent.
When the scheme was introduced, the monthly payment rate was originally set at €400 per property. The rate was subsequently increased to €800 from 1 December 2022 to coincide with the introduction of the offer a home scheme. The latter is administered by local authorities in conjunction with the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA. The offer a home scheme has been invaluable in making holiday homes in the main available as accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection. As we have moved from a crisis response, we have had to consider and taper our supports. As a result, the monthly payment rate was reduced from €800 to €600 in June of last year. This policy change was intended to mitigate the scheme's perceived impact on the private rental market. The ARP scheme is due to end on 31 March next. However, it is intended to extend the scheme to 31 March 2027 by ministerial order, subject to Oireachtas approval. This would mirror the extension of the application of the temporary protection directive to the war in Ukraine. It would also provide certainty, not only to hosts but also to those accommodated in hosted arrangements.
The scheme is not only a means of recognising the part played by hosts, it is also instrumental in supporting Ukrainians to integrate within local communities nationwide. It has been pivotal in delivering Ukrainian individuals and their families away from State-contracted accommodation, which is often in hotels and guest houses, allowing those beds to be returned to the hospitality sector. The scheme is also far more cost-effective for the Exchequer. The average cost of the accommodation recognition payment per person per night is €11 compared with an average of €50 per night in commercial contracted accommodation.
The scheme has allowed the Department to move away from a total reliance on tourism and hospitality settings. This has enabled the Department to consolidate its contracted accommodation portfolio. As the numbers in hosted accommodation have increased, the numbers in State contracted accommodation have fallen from a high of almost 60,000 at the end of 2023 to under 20,000 at present. Since quarter 4 of 2024, the number of beneficiaries in hosted accommodation has exceeded the number of those in contracted accommodation and continues to do so. To date, approximately €438 million has been paid to almost 28,000 recipients in respect of hosting over 64,000 temporary protection beneficiaries. Currently some 42,000 Ukrainian citizens are being accommodated in more than 23,500 properties with the support of the scheme.
I acknowledge the concerns previously expressed in this House on the potential impact of the ARP scheme on the private rental market. I recognise that it could be the case, particularly in some rural areas, that €600 per month tax free may be more beneficial to an owner than making a property available for the rental market. However, a survey from the Irish Red Cross found that the vast majority of hosts, some 91%, are not landlords and have no plans to become landlords. For many, their primary motivation has been solidarity with Ukraine. Rather than interfering with the rental market, the ARP scheme has been responsible for introducing a stream of accommodation that would not otherwise have been available. This view was expressed by a number of support organisations in submissions to the Department regarding the extension of the scheme.
I reiterate that the payment is not a rent subsidy. It is not available where there is a rental arrangement in place. However, I am aware of Senators' concerns regarding the scheme's potential impact on the private rental market and I have already taken steps to address this. The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, brought forward by my colleague the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, was recently enacted. Part 3 of that Act introduces changes to the eligibility criteria for the ARP scheme which are intended to safeguard rental properties for tenants. From 3 March last, properties that were registered with the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, at any time since 4 March 2022 will no longer qualify for the ARP scheme. Tenants will also no longer be eligible to apply for the scheme. This legislative change is intended to mitigate any impact that the scheme may have on the private rental market.
Should the scheme be extended, it is also our intention to plan for a phased and orderly exit from the scheme. As I indicated last week, and subject to the agreement of the Government, it is our intention to reduce the monthly payment to €400 later this year, returning it to the original rate.
This should enable an orderly and gradual winding down of the scheme with due regard to all those involved. Further steps will be considered in due course to ensure an orderly an exit. More broadly, I can confirm that planning for the conclusion of temporary protection is actively under way. This work is being advanced by the senior officials group reporting to the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs. In addition to extending the directive, member states are considering measures for a co-ordinated transition out of temporary protection when the directive is no longer in force. Department officials are considering proposals made by the European Commission on these matters. While the ARP scheme is not without issues, an extension is required as, otherwise, it would be at risk of placing significant pressures on an already strained private rental market. The potential loss of hosted accommodation risks displacing Ukrainian citizens, many of whom would be forced to compete in the private rental market or face precarious living conditions.
In regard to today's proposals, Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 introduced the scheme with a termination date of 31 March 2023. That date reflected the duration of temporary protection under the 2001 Council directive. The directive had subsequently been extended a number of times and each time the ARP scheme has been extended to mirror those extensions. In a continued spirit of unity and support for the Ukrainian Government and its citizens, the European Commission has extended temporary protection until March 2027. It is therefore appropriate to make an order to extend the ARP scheme to the end of March 2027. Section 4(2) of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 allows us to make such a change to a date considered appropriate following consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for public expenditure and reform. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and I have undertaken those consultations and both Ministers have expressed support for the extension of the scheme to us. In considering the ARP scheme extension, we were mindful of the need to continue to make provision for a financial contribution to assist in maintaining the availability of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection. I want to be clear that the motion relates only to the extension of the scheme for a further year and nothing else.
The 2022 Act requires a draft order to be laid before and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. Approval of the motion in Seanad Éireann today is essential to ensure the continuation of the scheme beyond March 2026. Should the scheme's extension be approved by the Oireachtas, we will continue to monitor it to ensure it remains fit for purpose and to allow for an orderly wind-down of the scheme to commence.
I would like to take opportunity to thank all those involved in hosting. People have done a wonderful job in providing a room. They have also provided a sense of belonging. I also acknowledge the great work of the Irish Red Cross, the International Organization for Migration, the local authorities and other organisations that have supported hosting arrangements. I also recognise the great work of local communities and how they have actively supported families in integrating through access to employment and education. The scheme has been an effective instrument of public policy which we cannot afford to abruptly lose. Approval of this motion will provide certainty to all of those involved in the hosting arrangements.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-24/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-24