Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2026: Motion Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-24 ============================================================ Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South I thank the Senators whose contributions I have been here to listen to. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, for initiating this motion and I apologise to the Senators I did not get an opportunity to hear. There is a broad recognition that Ireland responded generously to the plight of Ukrainian people who were subjected to an illegal invasion by Russia four years ago. A decision was made across the European Union that the temporary protection provision would kick in and it was appropriate and necessary at the time. As has been indicated we are now more than four years into that temporary provision directive. It is likely that a decision will have to be made later this year in respect of what will happen to temporary protection. I do not think it can continue indefinitely. The impression I get from discussions with my European colleagues is that there will probably be some form of amendment and change made, which will commence in 2027. There is obviously a variety of issues that need to be taken into account. Many Ukrainian people in Ireland and around the European Union will want to return to Ukraine. It is also clearly the case that many will want to stay in member states. It is an issue we will have to resolve and discuss within the European Union and try to come up with a harmonious response in respect of it. The discussion we are having today is in respect of the accommodation recognition payment. It is important to point out that it was introduced because the Government wanted to give recognition to the significant charitable acts of the Irish public taking in people fleeing the war in Ukraine. It is important that we look at the basis of it, which was not to be compensating people for providing accommodation to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. It was in recognition of the charitable act they have engaged in. Obviously, approval of the motion in the Seanad today is essential to ensure that the scheme does not lapse and that it continues for a further year to align with the EU Council implementing decision that has extended temporary protection to this time next year. This will enable an orderly phasing out of the scheme and avoid a cliff edge of supports for those benefiting from the scheme. That is the sole issue for consideration today. This scheme's extension will give clarity and assurance to those involved in hosting arrangements. I reiterate that failure to extend the scheme will present significant risks. Should it fall, some beneficiaries could potentially be displaced into an already pressurised rental market. The latter would be a regressive step. Findings from the Irish Red Cross host survey report that 86% of hosts believe the ARP scheme is important for continuing such hosting arrangements. I acknowledge the concerns raised by Senators today such as the scheme's impact on the private rental sector. As has been mentioned, steps have already been taken to address these concerns. From 1 June 2025, the monthly contribution was reduced from €800 per property to €600 per property. This reduction was intended to address concerns voiced previously in the Oireachtas and elsewhere about the possible displacement effect that ARP is having on the private rental market. The reduction aims to ensure that supports for beneficiaries are proportionate and equitable. Part 3 of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 precludes from the scheme properties that were registered with the Residential Tenancies Board at any time since March 2022. That is designed to ensure we are not putting into the ARP properties that should be available for ordinary residential tenancies. The scheme has been responsible for introducing an accommodation stream that would not otherwise have been available, and which has been a vital element of the State's response in providing accommodation to those who have applied for and been granted temporary protection. Should the scheme be extended, and subject to agreement at Government level, it is also my intention to propose to colleagues to reduce the monthly payment rate to €400 later this year as was initially provided for in the legislation. This tapering of the payment rate would support an orderly wind down of the scheme. Further steps will be considered in due course to ensure we have an orderly exit. Planning for the conclusion of temporary protection is actively under way. There is work ongoing at national level by the senior officials group reporting to the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs. Member states are also considering measures for the co-ordinated transition out of the temporary protection directive. It is an effective instrument of public policy that we cannot afford to lose at this point. I am aware from speaking to the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, that an amendment has been put down by cross-party Senators. Unfortunately I cannot accept the amendment proposed today. The order cannot be made until a resolution approving the order has been passed by each House. Therefore, Senators' approval of the motion by the Seanad today is essential to ensure the scheme continues beyond March 2026 until March 2027. In terms of the motions that are being proposed, it is important to note the motions would interfere with the primary objective of the scheme, which is to ensure there is a mechanism available whereby we can provide secure accommodation for individuals who are beneficiaries of temporary protection until such time as the scheme comes to an end or the other accommodation comes to an end as well or both. Obviously, the ARP is not the sole method by which accommodation is provided to people who have been granted temporary protection. There is also ongoing accommodation provided and a provision has been put in place to provide a certain amount of accommodation should people be coming from Ukraine now. The numbers of people coming have declined very significantly. I was concerned last September by the numbers of people coming here, particularly young men, from Ukraine and claiming temporary protection. Those numbers have now declined and we just need to keep a close eye on this issue. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. 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