The Government is working towards a "reduction and eventual elimination" of the State's accommodation programme for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, the Minister of State for Migration has said.
"We want to see businesses going back to what they were doing originally, and having the ability for beds and accommodation back into local communities," Colm Brophy said.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Mr Brophy said that, as of 13 March, more than 125,700 people from Ukraine have been granted temporary protection in Ireland.
Of those, over 94,300 have requested access to State-supported accommodation.
He said around 19,200 people are currently housed in State-contracted accommodation, a "significant and welcome reduction" from the peak in November 2023.
"All accommodation contracts by my department are temporary in nature," the minister said, adding that individuals granted temporary protection are informed of this when requesting accommodation.
He said that 531 contracts are currently in operation, providing capacity for approximately 22,450 beds - involving hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs.
"In sourcing and securing accommodation, the central consideration is the safety and security of people fleeing the war in Ukraine," he said.
Minister Brophy outlined a continued reduction in the number of contracts, with approximately 420 contracts ended in 2024 and a further 195 terminated in 2025.
So far in 2026, 25 contracts have been ended, with three additional notices issued by providers to terminate contracts, including in Co Clare.
He pointed to a sharp drop in capacity in that county, noting that at the end of February 2025 there were 31 contracts providing 2,610 beds, compared with 18 contracts and 1,041 beds at the end of February this year.
Mr Brophy said the Government is supporting people in moving towards independent living arrangements where possible.
He also confirmed that a motion will come before the Dáil next week regarding the extension of the EU Temporary Protection Directive, introduced by the European Commission following the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
While reaffirming Ireland's commitment to supporting those fleeing the conflict, he said the longer-term aim is to return accommodation to local use.
He was speaking during Oral Questions in the Dáil in response to an inquiry from Fine Gael TD for Clare Joe Cooney.
