Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

In truth, this is not about compassion, from our perspective. We feel very seriously and strongly about what people are enduring in relation to this situation. The time available to me is not enough to outline a number of the measures we tried to take to assist.

These include significant changes to the current scheme, more legislation to come forward next week, and the review of the scheme that is to take place next year. I hope it will be as early as possible next year. I am genuinely grappling constructively with the point the Deputy made on the idea of the ARP. It is not an unfair point. That scheme is administered by the Department of justice. My Department carries out the tax treatment element of the scheme. It is open to other Departments to consider schemes in relation to this area. I will engage constructively with those line Departments in relation to that. There is going to be a review of the scheme and there will be legislation next week. I will engage constructively with the Minister, Deputy Browne, in this regard. If a Department brings forward a scheme, my Department engages with regard to the tax treatment of that scheme.

On the ARP more broadly and with regard to people from Ukraine, we are reducing the level of income that can be generated from that scheme. I would like to see us continue in that direction in light of Deputy Doherty's legitimate points regarding the effect this scheme is having on the rental market. We will engage constructively on this. There will be legislation in the House next week. There will also be a broader review of the scheme. As recently as today, we were considering how we can make further improvements in relation to this horrific humanitarian situation.

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