Minister of State Joe O'Brien has confirmed plans to charge people seeking refuge in Ireland a nominal fee for their accommodation are being considered by the Government.
The minister said the proposal is contained in a draft paper.
Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics, Mr O'Brien said he is not aware what the fee might be but that it will be a "nominal" amount.
"There is a draft paper at the moment that indicates for a limited number of people who may be in serviced accommodation by the State, that there may be some nominal fee paid," he said.
"This is not rent like we would normally understand," he added.
The minister said the fee would be paid by some people in Direct Provision and some Ukrainians who are in full-time employment.
Minister O'Brien said "safety and shelter" have been given to around 60,000 people this year and that Ireland should be proud of that fact.
He admitted that there is pressure on accommodation for those seeking refuge and said there will be some modular housing coming on stream later this month, with more due to come on stream early next year.
"We have got a tight two weeks ahead. There will be more [modular housing] coming on stream later this month and the pledged accommodation is creeping up as well."
Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy questioned why a set of proposals brought forward by the Irish Refugee Council including utilising thousands of holiday homes "hasn't been taken up".
Minister O'Brien responded to this claim stating the Government is "already doing that".
"Holiday homes are already being used," he said. "The plan is rolling....We are exhausting every opportunity."
He also said the work to end Direct Provision is under way in the background, as the Government is actively "looking for properties" it can acquire.
He also said local authorities have identified 3,000 properties that can be used to house Ukrainian refugees by the end of the year.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said there is "no joined-up" thinking across departments to address the "desperate" need for accommodation.
He said empty properties need to be the focus as he stated the Office of Public Works has around 70 empty buildings during a housing crisis.
