The Government is to double to €800 the payment people receive for hosting Ukrainian refugees in their home.
Currently, host families are paid €400 a month but there is a severe lack of accommodation nationwide and the Government hopes a higher fee will encourage more people to volunteer.
“We need more capacity,” Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Newstalk.
“I believe we can create more capacity; although it will remain very challenging - of that there’s no doubt.”
Beds for Ukrainians at Gormanston Army Camp. Image: Department of Taoiseach.
The Government intends to step up the building of modular homes and maximise the use of dormitories as well.
Thus far, almost 54,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland this year and there has been a surge in people from other countries seeking international protection as well.
After the Government asked a number of new arrivals to sleep at Dublin Airport, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that the sad reality is that the state can no longer “guarantee housing” to those who flee here.
“We do have to tell people the truth,” he said last week.
“We have to tell people who might come here from Ukraine or come here from other parts of the world seeking asylum that we have now reached the point where we can no longer guarantee accommodation for everyone who arrives here - and that’s the truth.
“It’s a sad truth but it is the truth.”
However, the Government has ruled out placing a cap on numbers, which it says would be illegal under international law.
Main image: Ukrainian refugees on Lviv railway station waiting for train to escape to Europe. Picture by: Alamy.com
FAQs
Funding from central government provides a payment of £350 or £500 per month for hosts depending on whether their Ukrainian guests are in their first or second year in the UK. In March 2023, the county council approved an increase to the 'thank you' payment to £600 per month for all hosts.
What is the host payment for refugees from Ukraine? ›
Rate of the Accommodation Recognition Payment
The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a set monthly rate of €800 per property from 1 December 2022. It was previously €400 per month. If there are other costs and you are experiencing financial difficulty, you can apply for the Additional Needs Payment.
Are Ukrainian refugees getting paid? ›
We're giving financial assistance to help Ukrainian families who arrived in Canada under CUAET on or before March 31, 2024. The assistance is a one-time, non-taxable benefit designed to take care of your basic needs while you get settled in Canada.
How much is the allowance for refugees in Ukraine? ›
Ukrainian refugees who fled to Ireland between 2022 and early 2024 face having their allowances cut, within three months, from the full jobseekers' rate of €232 per week to €38.80 per week.
How much does it cost to house an Ukrainian refugee? ›
Private accommodation, such as hotels and B&Bs, costs on average €76 per night to house Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers – whereas State-owned accommodation costs €30 on average. So far this year, €214m has been spent on private accommodation for asylum seekers, compared to a figure of €627m for all of 2023.
Can I give a room to a Ukrainian refugee? ›
If you want to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine, you can register your interest in taking part in the Homes for Ukraine scheme. You can offer to host someone: applying to come to the UK (you would be their 'sponsor')
Can Ukrainian refugees get SSI checks? ›
Ukrainian humanitarian parolee: You may qualify for SSI if you are a Ukraine humanitarian parolee and were paroled between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 (or paroled after September 30, 2023 if you are the spouse or child of such an individual), you may qualify for SSI until the end of your parole period.
Who is funding Ukrainian refugees? ›
The Ireland Funds delivered crucial relief support for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland. The Ireland Funds Ukrainian Relief Fund supported organizations in Ireland working to ensure: Access to education. Resettlement and community integration.
How to claim benefits for Ukrainian refugees? ›
You can also call: Citizens Advice Universal Credit Help to Claim number (England: 0800 144 8444. Interpreters can be arranged, just say 'Interpreter Ukraine', or you can have someone call on your behalf, you would just need to give Citizens Advice your consent for them to speak on your behalf.
Are Ukrainian refugees eligible for financial aid? ›
SNAP, or CalFresh in California, is a program that provides refugees with money for food. A Ukrainian is issued an EBT debit card, which receives money every month.
Workers granted parole through Uniting for Ukraine can live and work in the United States for the period they have parole. If you have been granted parole through Uniting for Ukraine, select “Alien Authorized to Work” in Section 1 when completing the Form I-9 and enter the expiration date for your permission to work.
What is the U.S. program for Ukrainian refugees? ›
Resettlement of Ukrainian nationals to the United States over the last three decades has primarily been accomplished through the USRAP Lautenberg Program, which allows members of certain religious minority groups from countries of the former Soviet Union to reunite with family members in the United States.
Do you get paid to host Ukraine refugees? ›
Thank you payments to sponsors
Sponsors of Ukrainian guests on a Homes for Ukraine visa are eligible for a monthly payment from the UK government as a thank you for hosting. Sponsors will receive £350 a month during the first 12 months of their guests' stay.
Which countries are helping Ukraine the most? ›
The majority of committed support by country has come from the United States, whose total aid commitment is valued at about $75 billion. The U.S. is followed by Germany and the United Kingdom for highest commitments overall. The European Union as a whole has committed approximately $93 billion in aid to Ukraine.
What is 200 pounds for Ukraine refugees? ›
The council where the sponsor accommodation is located should provide an interim payment of £200 per guest for subsistence costs. This is in line with other resettlement schemes. As those arriving will probably not have immediate access to a bank account, it is recommended this payment is made in cash.
Can I host Ukrainian refugees in US? ›
An eligible supporter files an I-134A application with the U.S. government to sponsor a Ukrainian to come to the U.S. The sponsor identifies a specific beneficiary on the application.
Can I offer a Ukrainian refugee a job? ›
Workers granted parole through Uniting for Ukraine can live and work in the United States for the period they have parole. If you have been granted parole through Uniting for Ukraine, select “Alien Authorized to Work” in Section 1 when completing the Form I-9 and enter the expiration date for your permission to work.
Can an Ukrainian refugee get a mortgage? ›
Ukrainian refugees can find mortgages through various means: Engaging with mortgage brokers specializing in assisting Ukrainian households and understanding the specific financial and legal landscapes.
How much money do Ukrainian refugees get in Germany? ›
A single person is entitled to €563 per ($610) in monthly spending money. Couples can receive €506 per person, and children's benefits are between €357 and €471 each month, depending on their age. German states also cover health insurance and accommodation costs (rent and heating).
Beds for Ukrainians at Gormanston Army Camp. Image: Department of Taoiseach.