Ukranian refugees are at risk of becoming homeless in Donegal as more households withdraw from the ‘Offer a Home’ programme administered by Donegal County Council’s Refugee Response unit.At present, there are 774 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) accommodated under the programme in Donegal, with a further 346 applications outstanding.
However, the council says with changes the law regarding rental properties and cuts in the payments made to householders, a number have already withdrawn, with more set to follow suit.
The Accommodation Recognition Payment was reduced from €800 to €600 in June of last year, and a further reduction next month will see the payment fall to €400.
In a recent report to councillors, Chief Executive John McLaughlin confirmed that following these reductions, and the changes implemented following the new Residential Tenancies Act in March, 15 Offer A Home properties have been lost in the county, with 43 refugees displaced. Moat have found alternative accommodation, but at least two families of six are currently homeless and staying with friends.
Several property owners have indicated they will take back their accommodation next month, while a number of others say they will continue until March next year, but then take their properties back.
The Chief Executive’s Report says should property owners withdraw, there would be no alternatives available, which could result in those affected potentially presenting to Donegal County Council as homeless, even though they are not entitled to homelessness support.
Government clarification of ARP details –
The Accommodation Recognition Payment is a monthly payment of €600* available to you if you are providing accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since March 2022. This financial contribution is paid per eligible property, not per person hosted.
* From 1 September 2026, the monthly payment rate will revert to its original level of €400 set when the scheme launched in 2022. As the payment is made in arrears, the first payment at the rate of €400 will issue in October 2026.
It is available to you if you are hosting in your own home or providing accommodation in a vacant property.
It is available to you if you have made the hosting arrangement privately, through the Irish Red Cross pledge process or the Offer a Home scheme.
It is exempt for means-testing for social welfare payments and grants from other public bodies. It is also not taxable.
The scheme is provided for in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is referred to under the legislative title of the Financial Contribution for Hosting Temporary Protection Beneficiaries Scheme.
