Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

For many of the reasons outlined, the Social Democrats will not be able to support the reduction in the accommodation payment for Ukrainians. When the invasion began more than two years ago, Irish people on the whole were incredible in how they answered the call. Many opened up their homes and, in doing so, found friends and members of the community who have come in have contributed and made a huge sense of place in our communities, cities, towns and villages.

I understand there have been some comments - not so much objections but rather remarks - made as to whether there is an unfairness built into the scheme and whether it creates a two-tiered system within Ireland. The survey carried out by the Irish Red Cross demonstrated very well that 91% of the accommodation taken up by Ukrainians availing of the accommodation payment was never in the RTB. That survey demonstrates perfectly that this payment has been a huge value and addition to those who have been able to avail of it. It has been a model which can be replicated. It has fostered a sense of cohesion among the Ukrainian community who have come here. If we took it away, we would at this moment in time be in a more dangerous place than we are. We would have people going into the private rental sector. We know that is not a viable solution, nor is going into the IPAS system. As it stands, and given that the temporary directive has another year left, why would we want to take that away now? We do not have any evidence, studies or research. While different anecdotal positions have been shared, the actual evidence suggests this is a payment that works. This is a payment for the Ukrainian community who have come here and which has enabled them to establish themselves and have a presence. They have been given rooms by people who were never before involved in the RTB, but who have given them a place. That is what the evidence suggests.

Initially, there was a degree of unfairness built into the scheme because the payment was the exact same whether it was a single person or a family living in the home. We all know the costs of electricity and bills have been soaring. For those families who have taken in people, they are going to be feeling that. Having this payment for as long as the temporary directive remains in place actually provides a degree of certainty. I do not doubt for a second that there are decisions to be taken over the horizon, and I believe the Government has a job of work to do to be very clear as to what happens once the temporary directive comes to its conclusion, but for the moment, why upset the balance of things? The Irish Red Cross survey demonstrates clearly that this is a payment that works; that the majority of host families have said they benefit from it; and, more importantly, that they benefit from the people who are in their homes. I do not know what the reduction in the payment from €800 to €600 will actually mean for the host family. Does that mean the electricity bill might just be a little bit too much that month? We are at a point in time now where there is a delicate balance that needs to be protected. If we are to make changes, the changes should be done with evidence and compassion for the betterment of the communities who have come here.

There are, of course, decisions to be taken but they certainly do not need to be taken at this moment. The position of the Social Democrats would very much be that we should maintain what we have. We are open to common-sense suggestions and compassion-based adaptations. However, at the moment, if it is just based on anecdotal suggestions, that is not something that leaves anybody in any particular position of strength.

The Irish people have shown great solidarity with the Ukrainian refugees who have come here. More to the point, communities have been enhanced by them. Until the temporary directive comes to an end in 12 months, we need to give certainty to the communities as to what is the next step. That is a little bit under 12 months away, so let us just keep things as they are. By all means after that, let us provide common-sense solutions and let us build compassion into what we propose next. The war is still raging and the reasons for people seeking sanctuary here are exactly the same. We all hope and pray that a ceasefire will come over the horizon but until that time, why would we rock the boat and remove the accommodation payment from a group of people who have found a sense of place in homes that have benefitted from it? Study, research and analysis and compassion are needed. None of that happens overnight. Let us keep things as they are at the moment, understand what comes next and be clear and give proper information to people who are going to depend on it. Twelve months is not a particularly long period of time for families who have found a home here and are wondering what happens next. For the moment, the Social Democrats advocate that we maintain things as they are.

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