A "robust" Cabinet discussion on possible changes to the accommodation provided by the State for people arriving here from Ukraine failed to reach agreement.
This included a proposal that new arrivals would spend 90 days in dormitory style accommodation after which they would have to find a place to live.
This would mean that children in these facilities could receive tuition on site but not attend school.
This is said to have raised serious concerns among senior Cabinet figures, including Tánaiste Micheál Martin.
Some ministers were aggrieved that the general issue had been raised without any firm plan in place.
It was seen as very unusual that such an important subject could be discussed without a memo first going to Cabinet.
However, in a sign that there are sharply differing views on this issue, some in the Cabinet believe ministers were voicing faux surprise to avoid taking a decision.
They insist the proposals had been discussed in detail at the last two meetings of the party leaders.
There were also talks at Cabinet sub-committee level and a draft memo had been circulated to government department.
The matter was raised after the Taoiseach asked Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman to address the Cabinet when all other business had concluded.
There were worries expressed that the 90-day accommodation proposal would lead to many people being left with nowhere to go after this period.
And this in turn would create further problems for Government.
The Cabinet also heard that contracts with some hotels accommodating Ukrainians might not be renewed next year.
Options around changes to welfare rates for Ukrainians are also set to be examined in the coming days.
It is estimated that 30% of those coming here from Ukraine had first travelled to another EU country.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Mr Martin said the issue of "secondary transfers" was being looked at.
He said many people had commented on the strength of Ireland's response to the war in Ukraine.
A Government spokesperson said the talks were part of an effort to find a sustainable long-term way of accommodating those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
There are now 74,000 Ukrainians in State accommodation and currently an average of between 700 to 800 Ukrainians seek refuge here every week.
It is possible the Government will reach a decision on the issue at a Cabinet meeting next Wednesday.
