Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)

It is now three years and nine months since Russia undertook its illegal invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory. The impact of this war continues to be felt most immediately in Ukraine, where it is estimated around 15,000 civilians and up to 80,000 members of Ukrainian military are dead and the number of wounded in that country runs to hundreds of thousands. Notwithstanding their brutal dictatorial leaders, the Russian people have also suffered as a result of this war, with a death toll in that country estimated as running to hundreds of thousands. When we think of these huge numbers, we have to recognise that each one represents a despair and heartbreak brought to a family, always reminding us of the brutal cost of conflict. The impact of these wars has been huge in terms of disruption of trade and in terms of the undermining of norms of international law. The war has also been key driver in one of the most long-lasting cost-of-living crises that many of us have seen in our lifetime.

Throughout this war Ireland has been steadfast in its support of Ukraine, and the forthcoming visit of President Zelenskyy here will be an opportunity for us as a country and for the Government to reiterate our position on this. As a country, we have provided more than €380 million in financial aid to Ukraine, in the context of humanitarian assistance and in the context of non-lethal military equipment and materials. However, I would argue that probably our most meaningful support provided to Ukraine is in the context of the safety and shelter that Ireland has given to tens of thousands of Ukrainians, which has been offered since the very first days of the illegal Russian invasion. Across three years and nine months more than 114,000 Ukrainians have claimed temporary protection here in Ireland. While estimates vary, it is believed that between 70,000 and 80,000 Ukrainian men, women and children continue to see Ireland as their home today.

It is valuable to reflect on the sheer scale of the humanitarian response that we undertook as a country and how communities working with the Government, civil society and NGOs enabled tens of thousands of people to find homes, schools and basic provisions, and to find a sense of community and solidarity in what was undoubtedly one of the darkest times in many of their lives. As the Minister overseeing the initial accommodation response I met Ukrainians. In the very first weeks of the war I met some who had literally bundled up their families into a car as the war began and drove across Europe to Ireland and to Dublin. I remember in three or four situations people literally arrived at the doorstep of the Department of children on Baggot Street. They spoke to me and officials there and talked about what it was like to see bombs falling on their homes and to see an invading occupying force march down their street with tanks and jeeps. The conversations that I had with these very early arrivals will always stay with me. They will always be for me a strong reminder of why it is so important that countries around the world have provisions in place to make arrangements for those fleeing war and those fleeing conflict.

Our country's response to the needs of Ukrainians was undertaken in an emergency situation. It was not always smooth and it was not always perfect but it did show the generosity of spirit and sense of solidarity that is the basis of so many communities around our country. For example, while there were teething problems with the pledged accommodation scheme undertaken by the Red Cross, it has subsequently been hugely successful. The International Red Cross now cites our pledged accommodation scheme as a model of how such a scheme can work elsewhere. What was really important in supporting it was the accommodation recognition payment. This allows for the independence of Ukrainian families. It allows for better integration with Irish families and communities. It was also far more cost-effective for the State versus hotel or guest house accommodation.

Right now about 24,000 Ukrainians continue to be supported through the recognition payment. This payment was reduced earlier this year. I would be concerned about proposals to either reduce it further or, as has been suggested by some in the House, to remove it entirely. Research undertaken by Helping Irish Hosts and analysis undertaken by the Department of housing indicate the vast majority of accommodation in respect of which the payment is made was never rental property previously. The recognition payment has been hugely successful in opening up accommodation that was previously unused. Of course a payment of this scale should always be examined and kept under review, and if there are issues arising they can be addressed. We should be looking to see how something such as this, which is an incredibly successful model, can benefit other groups who need short-term accommodation. This should be the focus of the Government and not scrapping a scheme that is achieving so much.

See this speech in context