A Ukrainian woman who has been living in a Co Wicklow hotel since Russia invaded her country over four years ago, has said that she does not feel welcome anymore after the Government's announcement on State funding for hotel accommodation.
Yesterday, the Government said that tourist and commercial accommodation currently housing up to 16,000 people from Ukraine would be withdrawn.
It was agreed to withdraw State-contracted commercial accommodation to pre-March 2024 residents, with the exception of those highly vulnerable and those with barriers to independence.
Ivanna, who moved from Kyiv to Bray in March 2022, has said that she really does not know what to do.
She is among 105 people staying at the Wilton Hotel in Bray.
"It's still the same, the war is not over," she said.
"We're really lost and feel like we're not welcome anymore, but we don't know what to do. We'll probably hope for some miracle to happen."
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The process of withdrawing the accommodation will begin in August on a phased basis over a six-month period.
People will be afforded a minimum of three months' notice of this change.
The properties will be returned to tourism and potentially the private rental sector.
Govt will continue to support people fleeing Ukraine war - McEntee
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said the Government will continue to support people fleeing the war in Ukraine, while adjusting and amending supports that have been in place since the war began.
She said the Government has supported over 120,000 people who have come to Ireland from Ukraine for the past four years.
"We need to adjust and respond to the environment that we are in now and remain aligned with other European countries as well and providing support in the same way as they are," she said.
"What will happen is essentially a changing of the structures that are there, so this will be done on a phased basis. We will not be removing people or taking away accommodation where people need our support," Ms McEntee added.
Ms McEntee added it is "very clear" that while people are still coming to Ireland from Ukraine, "a large proportion of them are not seeking accommodation".
Watch: Govt won't take away accommodation from people who need support, says minister
"Many of them have family and friends here already. Many of them are coming because they want to work but also because they want to be safe," she said.
Meanwhile, Labour TD Ged Nash described the decision as "unethical" and "immoral".
Speaking outside Leinster House, he said he hoped that the announcement was "premature" and that providing accommodation to "people fleeing war" was Ireland's "unique contribution as a neutral country".
"We believe that should be maintained," he said.
Aontú's Peadar Tóibín said that his party supports the Government's decision.
"This country has provided significant refuge at a time of need for people coming from Ukraine," he said.
Mr Tóibín said that the measures were temporary emergency measures.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty also welcomed the planned withdrawal.
He said his party had argued the measures should have been restricted to "people who opened up their homes" to Ukrainians.
"It shouldn't be in competition with the private rental market. The tax-free market of the payment meant that it was far more lucrative for landlords to rent to Ukrainians," he said.
Mr Doherty said this was "deeply disruptive".
Earlier, the Minister of State with responsibility for migration said that help for Ukrainians was not ending but that Government is examining how best to provide aid on a sustained basis into the future.
Colm Brophy said what was indicated yesterday was a direction of travel and that people living here already will not face a "cliff edge" situation.
"We want to work with people, with no cliff edge, something that we believe would be of benefit to Ukrainian people who are here in Ireland," he said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
He also said that the Government will be examining a programme to help people return to Ukraine, if they wish, along with moving away from commercial providers of accommodation.
'It's a bit scary'
Olena Bratchenko, from the group Ukrainian Helping Ukrainians Galway said Ukrainians living in Ireland are not that shocked at the news because they have been talking about the situation and they are very thankful to Ireland for what the country has done for them for more than four years.
Speaking to RTÉ Six One News, she said: "It's a bit scary, just like, tricky, but at the same time, we were a little bit prepared for that.
"I'm here with my son because I'm from Zaporizhzhia city and it's still being bombed every day and drone attacks. So there's no chance to come back [to Ukraine], we had to split with him because he is a full-time TU student.
"If we are talking about the real accommodation for such people like me or for children, smaller children or families or mummies with children, it will be very difficult for them to afford something because the price is very, very high."
Olena said she could not answer the question about the 40,000 plus people who live with families in Ireland because not all of them will become tenants.
"Sometimes people are just giving them accommodation on their own will, so it's like not the accommodation for the tenancy, you know.
"So we should be prepared for this. And yes, they become very good friends, but at the same time, sometimes it will be very hard to find something new.
"You know, that's also a very, very serious question for us.
"Unfortunately returning to Ukraine is not an option for many people - especially from the territories which are completely destroyed, no space, no room, nothing left.
"And it's not so easy to start from the very beginning, especially if you are, for instance, pensioners or older people or children or mommies with children. So it will be very, very hard.
"There are people who are staying in Ireland, they found a new house. They actually socialised here. They found new friends just among local people, among Irish people, and became very, very close to each other.
"They don't want to come back because it's occupied territory, you know, that's not Ukraine anymore," she said.
Additional reporting: Róisín Cullen
