Cabinet clashes over offering Ukrainians accommodation for only three months

Cabinet sources said Mr O’Gorman was “visibly agitated” and “vented” after “intense pushback” from Mr Martin and Mr O’Brien.

Mr O’Gorman and his officials have been working on a new accommodation plan that would see a two-tier system introduced for Ukrainians here. After three months, they would have to find accommodation in the private rental sector or through an offer-a-home scheme.

“It’s clear the hope would be that Roderic’s plan would act as a deterrent for Ukrainians to come here but he didn’t put much thought into what happens if people keep coming here,” a senior source said.

Ministers voiced concerns that if Ukrainians had no alternative accommodation after 90 days that it would only add to Mr O’Brien’s homelessness figures. They said Mr O’Gorman’s plan “is not credible”.

The row was described as “one of the most divisive” disagreements witnessed yet with every Fianna Fáil minister at the Cabinet table “backing up” Mr Martin.

Fine Gael ministers also agreed that a more thought-through plan was required while Green Party leader Eamon Ryan “saw both sides”.

Mr Martin also asked Mr O’Gorman if he had put any thought into how Ukrainian children’s education may be impacted if they had to move from a particular area after three months. Changes to the accommodation offers could mean children could receive tuition on-site but not attend school.

Mr O’Gorman argued that he could not get a collective decision on a long-term plan despite numerous cabinet committee meetings and didn’t know what further clarity was required. Mr Martin is understood to have told him that Green Party ministers regularly see “deferrals” on their proposals.

A Cabinet source said Mr O’Gorman addressed the room in an “unusual way” with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar inviting him to speak on the matter and it was clear he was “anxious” to do so.

Ministers were critical that they had no “clear details” on the matter and it was a verbal briefing.

The discussion ended with an agreement for Mr O’Gorman to come back to Cabinet with a more “comprehensive” plan incorporating feed-in from other departments.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has been asked to look at changes to income support for Ukrainians and to examine if it is in line with other EU countries and whether payments should be reduced. It is expected a memo will go back to Cabinet in two weeks’ time.

A senior Green Party source said they are backing Mr O’Gorman’s plan, saying it is necessary to act as a deterrent for additional Ukrainian refugees entering the country, citing the high figures arriving into the State currently.

The source added that Fianna Fáil’s objection to the proposals is likely due to its possession of the housing portfolio. It follows the Irish Examiner first revealing that Mr O’Gorman and his officials were working on the plan to change how Ukrainians were accommodated here.

Cabinet was told one in three Ukrainians who have arrived in recent weeks have spent some time in another EU country before travelling to Ireland.

Up to 800 are arriving here every week. Mr Martin told reporters he believes that there is currently a “phenomenon” of secondary arrivals of Ukrainian refugees into Ireland from other EU countries.