I welcome to the Public Gallery representatives from Helping Irish Hosts, the Irish Red Cross, Ukraine Civic Society Forum and Ukrainian Action in Ireland. I thank Helping Irish Hosts and the Irish Red Cross for providing a positive and uplifting briefing this morning which I had the honour of chairing. I thank colleagues from across the House who came along to the audiovisual room. We heard there are over 21,000 Ukrainians staying with Irish hosts, that 25% of displaced Ukrainians are in host accommodation and pledged properties across the country and that there has been a positive experience for those who have provided host accommodation and guests who have stayed there.

The Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, may respond on this. We were asked to ensure there are sufficient supports for the hosts and guests and, in particular, we were asked what is the long-term plan beyond the expiration of the temporary protection directive in March 2025. Can we widen the accommodation recognition payment to other programme refugees?

I have asked to meet Helping Irish Hosts to engage with and hear from its representatives directly. I welcome the huge support it has provided. A substantial proportion of Ukrainians living in Ireland are living in homes around the country and it has been a valuable support to the Government. I would be supportive of looking at the model used there in other areas, perhaps the Irish refugee protection programme or even people in international protection with status. There are options there. It has worked well. That would involve changing the legislation.

Ireland will be guided by and work in lockstep with the rest of Europe in terms of what happens on the expiration of the temporary protection directive. We need to know the European-wide approach before making decisions, but it will be a key consideration.