Reduction in rate of Ukrainian ARP will not address impact on rental sector – Matt Carthy TD

Responding to reports that the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley will bring a proposal to cabinet today to cut the Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) from €800 to €600, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, said that this change would do nothing to address the impact of the scheme on the rental sector or the unfairness of the scheme.

Teachta Carthy said:

“The Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was originally paid at a rate of €400 per month, the government then increased it to €800. Now they are reducing it to €600. The government does not know what it is doing. Its approach has been confused, chaotic and uninformed by any analysis of the impact of what it has done on the rental sector. There are now serious questions around the use of taxpayers money on this scheme and why the payment under the scheme was increased to €800 in December 2022.

“I have repeatedly raised the issue of the unfairness of Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) and the impact that it is having on the private rental sector. Until now there has been absolutely no acknowledgement from government about the impact of the ARP on the rental sector.

“Last week, Minister Foley confirmed to me in a reply to a parliamentary question that she had not sought any briefings, reports or analysis on the impact of the ARP on the rental sector. In the same reply she stated that the ARP was not interfering with the rental market.

“Now this morning we hear that the government believes that a cut of €200 will reduce the potential impact on the rental market.

“It is clear that the government does not know what it is doing in relation to the ARP but wants to be seen to do something.

“Reducing the rate from €800 to €600 will not address the key issues with this scheme. The government has failed to recognise the serious issues of unfairness at the heart of the scheme which is not means tested like other housing supports. If it does not end the practice of top up payments today’s proposed rate reduction will make no difference at all.

“Government must change tack immediately. Sinn Féin has tabled an amendment to the government’s motion to extend the ARP to the end of March 2026. That amendment demands that the scheme only be extended for those Ukrainians who satisfy a means test, limits new applicants to those who house recipients in their own homes; and bans the practise of ‘top-up’ payments.”