Number of Cork properties accommodating Ukrainians under ‘ARP’ scheme doubles in 18 months

By Peter McCarthy, Corkman

The number of properties in County Cork receiving payments for providing accommodation to people fleeing the war in Ukraine has almost doubled in the past year and a half.

Known as the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP), the payment amounts to €600 a month. In County Cork the number of ARP properties is currently 1,611. At the start of this year it was 1,399 while the figure was 816 in January 2024.

Nationally, 16,900 hosts are accommodating almost 39,600 temporary protection beneficiaries in over 21,800 properties supported by the ARP, according to figures released by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Sinn Féin TD for East Cork, Pat Buckley, said that the rise in the number of ARP properties in County Cork is concerning at a time of rising rents and an ongoing housing crisis.

“This is an extremely significant rise when you consider the small number of properties that are available to rent in Cork at present. The failure of the government to recognise the impact of this scheme on the private rental sector is outrageous, particularly given soaring rents and the fact that we are in the middle of such a severe housing crisis,” Deputy Buckley said.

“Sinn Féin repeatedly pointed out that this scheme was unfair because it gave Ukrainians access to housing supports, without a means test, which are not available to any other person, including those on lower wages trying to secure housing. We also pointed out that it was driving up rents, particularly in parts of the state that traditionally had lower rents.”

Deputy Buckley said the figures show that there are significantly more properties under ARP than property owners, "which clearly indicates that a large number of people have more than one property under this scheme.

"This highlights that landlords are availing of this scheme because it financially benefits them while avoiding the normal obligations and responsibilities regarding tenancies.”

According to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the number of property owners under the scheme is not known as the application process does not distinguish between hosts who are property owners and those who are tenants.