Irish government urged to fund housing restoration projects for Ukrainian rufugees

An urgent need for Ukrainian refugee housing prompts the Irish government to fund the restoration of vacant homes and buildings.

The idea was proposed at a crisis summit with the construction and property industry. As reported in the Irish Examiner, housing Minister Darragh O’Brien stressed the urgency of this matter: "Every lever available to us will be pulled to provide accommodation."

O’Brien intends to invoke Section 182, a clause which would allow him to use emergency powers to bypass some of the restrictions delaying planning.

Another measure - the reformation of the Fair Deal Scheme - will allow the free rental of privately owned properties including holiday homes. This rule change could create 8,000 units available for refugees. The government is considering paying the owners of these infrequently used second houses to incentive their donation.

A search for larger buildings such as banks, convents, and hospitals yielded 500 locations suitable for refurbishment. These larger scale conversions would cost more time and money, but could potentially hold thousands of more people.

Many are currently living in temporary lodgings like hotel rooms. In March, temporary tent villages were quickly constructed in Meath. However, with the rapid rate of growth, the Cabinet agrees that longer term housing solutions are necessary. The government firmly states that camps are "off the table."

The current number of incoming refugees is averaged around 600 a day. The total number who have come to Ireland since the initial invasion is about 15,000. That number is expected to double by the end of April and could rise as high as 100,000 as the war carries on.

Projections of the yearly costs to the State are currently €400 million for every 10,000 people. The country is expected to spend €2.3 billion total on humanitarian aid efforts in the coming year.

Those fleeing Ukraine are eligible for assistance from the EU Temporary Protection Directive. The measure provides immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State sponsored support.

Aproximately 4 million Ukrainians have fled their war torn country in total while an estimated 6.5 million have been displaced within it. Thousands have been killed or wounded with no end in sight.