If you or your family require accommodation, you should let Immigration Officials know and you will be referred to the Ukraine Response Team of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. They will provide accommodation, if available, to those who indicate that they require such accommodation on arrival into Ireland, or in circumstances where privately arranged accommodation is no longer suitable.
Soon, newly arriving people fleeing the war in Ukraine requiring accommodation can opt to avail of State-provided accommodation for a maximum of 90 days in designated accommodation centres. Ireland will continue to meet its obligations to facilitate family reunifications into the State, but reunifications will not take place in State-sponsored accommodation, unless it is within the designated accommodation centre.
An offer of short-term, temporary accommodation accepted by a beneficiary is subject to all terms and conditions and adherence to accommodation policies:
Absence Protocol : In general BOTPs are only permitted to be absent from State funded accommodation in exceptional circumstances. Without prior DCEDIY approval, they lose their accommodation. Designated accommodation centres will have a plan around allowing for absences of a short-term nature due to exceptional circumstances or to facilitate, for example, searches for accommodation or employment.
Refusals Policy : If a person refuses an offer of suitable accommodation they will not receive further offers from DCEDIY. The Department cannot provide alternative accommodation to people for reasons of employment, school, family reunification or other non-medical reasons.
Anti-Social Behaviour Policy : DCEDIY provides suitable temporary accommodation to displaced persons fleeing conflict. Displaced persons have a responsibility of good conduct towards one another and towards providers and staff providing assistance. If a BOTP is asked to leave the accommodation provided by DCEDIY due to anti-social behaviour, they will not be offered alternative accommodation.
Pet Policy : The Irish Government does not permit newly arriving/newly acquired pets in State funded accommodation. If BOTPs wish to avail of state funded accommodation, they must make their own arrangements for their pets at their own cost.
The above policies are available at: Ukraine temporary accommodation policies
During the 90 days, BOTPs will have access to information on how they can seek independent accommodation in Ireland and about other supports that are available to them. This will include information on social welfare, employment and other entitlements.
BOTPs are free to source their own accommodation at any point, however, after the 90 days, they will be required to have sourced their own accommodation, or avail of a pledged property where available. They will be required to leave the designated accommodation centre at that time, and will have access to more comprehensive social welfare supports and rent supplement if applicable.
Many people across Ireland have opened up their homes to provide temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Where homes are vacant they are inspected and where moves to shared homes involve children, vetting of adults living in the home take place. The department also continues to work with its partners to move persons into these properties.
Should you wish to access accommodation hosted privately, contact the Irish Red Cross at migrationcrisis@redcross.ie or call 1800 753343. The Irish Red Cross or one of its partners will engage with you to help you find pledged accommodation that meets your individual requirements.
For vacant hosted accommodation, please contact the Local Authority in the area you are staying. Contact details for your Local Authority can be found on the Offer a Home website. Please note that availability of accommodation offered by private hosts is limited and that it may not always be possible to find accommodation that is suitable for your individual requirements.
Private host arrangements or private rented accommodation either through your own means or with the assistance of rent supplement are further options. Intreo will be able to provide further information relating to rent supplement.
For further assistance please contact the Ukraine Response Team (UCTAT) at ukrainetempaccom@equality.gov.ie