More than 2,000 private properties in Donegal are now accommodating Ukrainian people under the government’s Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme, new figures reveal.
With 2,070 claims, Donegal accounts for the country’s second-largest volume of ARP claims, with Dublin holding the highest at 3,292.
The number of private properties in use for ARP across Donegal has increased by 30% since the beginning of this year, rising from 1,589.
The scheme provides a monthly tax-free payment of €600 to those providing accommodation to those who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
Since the scheme launched in July 2022, over €339m has been paid to some 26,100 recipients in respect of hosting over 56,700 temporary protection beneficiaries.
As of 13 July 2025, some 16,900 hosts are accommodating almost 39,600 temporary protection beneficiaries in over 21,800 properties supported by the ARP.
Figures from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, as revealed to Sinn Féin Deputy Matt Carthy, show a 17% rise of properties registered in the ARP scheme since January.
The payment was €800 from 1 December 2022 to the 31 May 2025 and has been reduced to €600 per month from 1 June 2025.
The government has said the “offer a home scheme” has been “invaluable” in making mainly holiday homes available for beneficiaries of temporary protection. Deputy Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs & Migration, has expressed concern that the scheme is driving up rents in areas with low housing supply.
