Ireland’s authorities have updated information on the IRP (Irish Refugee Protection) program for Ukrainian refugees — it will not be extended and will end on March 31, 2027. This affects more than 42,000 Ukrainians who currently receive assistance through this program and live in state-provided housing.
When to Start Looking for New Housing
If the program is not extended, the state is obligated to notify people at least three months before it ends — and possibly earlier. This is necessary to give people time to find alternative housing. A similar procedure was followed when Ukrainians were moved out of temporary accommodation, such as hotels and hostels: the state gave three months’ notice.
Such a notice period is standard practice because finding housing in Ireland is difficult. People need sufficient time to consider their options and make a decision.
Who Will Be Most Affected
The situation will be particularly difficult for vulnerable groups: people with disabilities, pensioners, mothers with children. Many of them currently live through the IRP program. If the program is cancelled, a small portion of these people may be accommodated by acquaintances, but most will be unable to independently rent adequate housing.
For vulnerable groups, cancellation of the program means choosing between two options: either become homeless in Ireland or leave. The EU does not transfer people from one country to another — this means they will not be able to receive protection in another EU country and will have to return to Ukraine.
Can the Program Be Extended
The situation can change at any moment. If Ukrainians actively demonstrate that it is unsafe in Ukraine and the war continues, the program can be extended. 42,000 people on IRP is more than half of all Ukrainians in Ireland. The state is unlikely to suddenly put such a large number of people on the street — this would be unrealistic from both practical and social perspectives.
However, the decision remains open, and officially the program is still scheduled to end on the specified date.
Program Payments Are Already Being Cut
Starting October 2026, the amount of IRP program payments is already being reduced to €400. People continue to live in state housing, but the amount of monetary assistance has decreased. Hope that the program will still be extended allows people to at least survive until the end of the temporary protection period under these conditions.
Comments
Reader experience is useful, but it is not advice: check the rules on the official site.
No account needed: click Sign in, type any name, and you are done.