Government approves new measures to phase out support to temporary protection beneficiaries

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The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan and Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy have today received the agreement of government for the introduction of a number of measures relating to Ukrainian citizens currently in Ireland holding temporary protection status.

The current EU Temporary Protection Directive is due to end on 4 March 2027. While it may be extended at EU level, Ireland is now taking proactive measures to provide more certainty to people currently displaced by the war in Ukraine.

These measures include:

  • a phased withdrawal of state-contracted commercial accommodation commencing in August 2026 and completed by March 2027

  • The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) monthly contribution rate will be set at €400 from October 2026. This was the original rate when the scheme was launched in 2022

The department for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will coordinate with the Irish Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration to provide information and support to those currently in receipt of state provided accommodation as they progress towards greater independence.  

In addition, a new "Temporary Protection Transition Scheme" will be launched granting people currently residing in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive alternative permission. This new permission will incentivise work, upskilling, and progression to independent living, while providing clarity and certainty for people in advance of the expiry of Temporary Protection.
The “Temporary Protection Transition Scheme” will be provided on a Stamp 4 basis and will be granted for a period of up to two years, renewable for periods of two years thereafter, with time on the permission counting towards naturalisation. The permission will be based on the inclusion of the whole family unit who have been resident in Ireland under temporary protection. The application process for the new permission will be open in September 2026. The eligibility criteria for this permission will include:

  • residency in Ireland for a minimum of one year as a beneficiary of temporary protection;
  • employment or self-employment for six months, with a minimum yearly salary of €29,432;
  • non-receipt of state supported accommodation such as commercially provided or hosted accommodation supported by the Accommodation Recognition Payment at the time of application.
  • As with moves to other permissions, it will not be possible to be granted a Stamp 4 Temporary Protection Transition Scheme, and to hold Temporary Protection or any other immigration permission at the same time.

The proposals approved by government today are in line with the 2025 EU Council Recommendation for a co-ordinated approach to transition Ukrainian citizens out of Temporary Protection across the EU.

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