Government must clarify intentions to amend the Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, has called on the government to outline its intentions in relation to the unfair Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) which is due to expire on March 31st.  

The government has presented a motion to the Dáil that simply extends the scheme by a further year but has not indicated whether any changes will be made to the scheme.

Deputy Carthy said that there has been little acknowledgement from the government about the impact of the scheme has had on distorting the rental market. He called for the closing of the scheme to new entrants, the means-testing of those housed under the scheme, and the banning of top-up payments.

Teachta Carthy said

“The current ARP scheme is due to expire in two and half weeks’ time and it is clear that the scheme cannot continue in its current form.  Yet, bizarrely, the government has presented a motion to the Dáil which simply extends the scheme.  We have no clarity from the government as to whether payment rates will be reduced as flagged by Ministers or, more importantly, if any amendments will be made to the scheme that will address the current unfairness or the distortion within the rental sector. 

“As Sinn Féin have repeatedly said, there is a specific issue of unfairness with Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment.  Currently, the state will pay a landlord €800 tax free to accommodate a person from the Ukraine here under the Temporary Protection Directive.   That person could be employed in a well-paid job – there is no means-test as is the case for other housing assistant payments.  

“This puts other renters, including people who might be on lower incomes, at a severe disadvantage as this scheme incentivises landlords to rent their properties to Ukrainians, particularly in areas with traditionally lower rents.  It is divisive, deeply unfair and must be ended.

“While initially this scheme was an emergency measure to support those who opened up their own homes to people fleeing war, it is increasingly benefiting landlords in the private rented sector availing of the ARP because it is financially advantageous to them compared to renting to other potential tenants.

“In addition, Minister Norma Foley has also acknowledged to me that there is an issue in terms of top-up payments being made by Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to those providing accommodation under the ARP scheme.  This is further distorting the rental market and should be banned.

“There should be no cliff-edge that would put anyone at risk of homelessness. There is an important distinction to be made between those who are hosting families in their own homes and landlords in the private sector who are availing of the Accommodation Recognition Payment and the government must recognise this.  

“The government must now recognise these realties and bring forward substantive changes to the ARP; these should include: 

• Closing the ARP to new entrants
• Means Testing those who benefit from the scheme.
• Banning the practice of ‘top-up’ payments to the ARP.”