A Ukrainian in Ireland has described the Government’s decision to end the funding of hotel accommodation for his fellow refugees as a “disappointment”. 

Since the conflict broke out in 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have moved to Ireland and many of them continue to be housed in hotels across the country. 

From August, the funding will gradually be withdrawn and those impacted will be given three months’ notice to vacate their accommodation. 

On Lunchtime Live, Anatoly from Ukrainian Action in Ireland said he worries about where those who currently live in hotels will go. 

“While you could argue that some of those supports haven't been the most sustainable way to support the Ukrainians that are in Ireland, there are no realistic and practical alternatives being put forward,” he said. 

Anatoly added that the only solution will be for Ukrainians to search for accommodation available on the private rental market. 

“It's going to put more pressure on the rental market that is already under stress from everybody else,” he argued. 

Ukrainians in Dublin. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

However, he added that it is highly unlikely that the change will result in many, if any, families returning to Ukraine, noting such a decision could “very much put their lives at risk”. 

“There's a plethora of factors that will affect a person's decision to stay in Ireland or to go back to Ukraine,” he said. 

“A lot of Ukrainians that are in Ireland are from the areas that are very much affected by the front line - the densely populated east and south areas of Ukraine and they might not have anywhere to go back to. 

“When making a decision to go back, if they can at all, they'll have to think about their children, about their prospects, about their safety, about a lot of reasons.” 

Ukrainians living in Ireland protest outside Leinster House in Dublin over the Russian invasion. Picture by: Rory Walsh

The solution, Anatloy argued, is for the Irish Government to increase the number of houses available to rent. 

“I think my expectation would be for the Irish Government to improve the conditions for all of us in Ireland so that that support is not needed,” he said. 

“That would be my expectation, that the Government improves the housing market, improves the infrastructure so that people can move when they do come to Ireland, they are able to find accommodation of their own, they are able to rent, they are able to work.” 

Main image: Ukrainians gather on O'Connell Street, Dublin. Picture by: RollingNews.ie.