Wexford TD raises concerns over surge in Ukrainian housing scheme payments

Sinn Féin TD for the Wicklow-Wexford Constituency, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, has raised alarm over the sharp increase in the number of properties in County Wexford receiving payments under the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) Scheme for housing Ukrainian refugees….

The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a tax-free payment of €600 per month for each property used to provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine. The payment was set at €600 per month from 1 June 2025.

The figures, obtained through a parliamentary question, come amid rising rents and a deepening housing crisis.

Wexford ranks 7th highest in the state for ARP properties—far exceeding neighbouring counties like Wicklow, Carlow and Kilkenny:

“Figures revealed to Sinn Féin in a parliamentary question show that there has been a sharp rise in the number of properties being awarded payments under the Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme in every county since the beginning of the year. There has been a rise in County Wexford between January and July of this year. There are now 941 properties in receipt of payments under the ARP in County Wexford. We have the 7th highest figure in the state – doubling that of neighbouring Co. Wicklow; almost doubling Co. Carlow and more than three times that of Co. Kilkenny,” he told Wexford Weekly.

The TD warns the rise in ARP rentals is straining an already tight local rental market in Wexford:

“This is an extremely significant rise when you consider the small number of properties that are available to rent in Wexford at present,” he said.

Ó Súilleabháin criticises the government for ignoring the ARP scheme’s effects on private rental availability and affordability:

“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,” he told Wexford Weekly.

Sinn Féin says the scheme is inequitable and has led to rising rents in traditionally affordable areas:

“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.”

The figures suggest landlords with multiple properties are profiting from the scheme without the usual tenancy obligations:

“These figures also show that there are significantly more properties than property owners coming under the scheme. 21,803 properties provided by 16,900 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,” he concluded.

Advertise on Wexford Weekly