Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, has said that it is not acceptable for Minister Jim O’ Callaghan to acknowledge that there is evidence of additional payments being made on top of the Accommodation Recognition Payment but then to dismiss this as a matter between the parties concerned.

Deputy Carthy was speaking after receiving a reply to a Parliamentary Question from the Minister.

Teachta Carthy said:

“The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has admitted that his Department has been made aware that some of those who are receiving the unfair Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) are receiving additional payments.

“Minister O’Callaghan has suggested that this is a matter between the parties concerned. This is simply not good enough and not acceptable.

“The Accommodation Recognition Payment, when it was originally introduced at a rate of €400 in 2022, was designed as an emergency measure to support those who opened their homes to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection arriving in Ireland. Now, three years on, the ARP is paid at the higher amount of €800 and increasingly to landlords of rental properties.

“The payment of top-ups, which the Minister is indicating he will do nothing about, is compounding the difficulties that the ARP is causing in the private rented sector and putting rental accommodation out of reach for families who cannot compete with the amount that is paid under the ARP of €800 tax free let alone the ARP plus an additional top-up payment.

“I am calling on the Minister to put a stop to this practice of allowing top-ups to the ARP as a matter of urgency.

“The ARP scheme is due to expire on 31st March, unless it is again extended by government. It is imperative that the Minister outline a plan to end the scheme for new entrants and to address the issues of fairness and disruption of the rental sector without delay.”