Previously, the payment for accommodation of Ukrainians in the housing of Irish people was 400 euros per month. Then the government increased the payments to 800 euros. This amount is tax-free for homeowners, which is beneficial to local residents.
Now the government is reviewing these payments. Sinn Féin said the charge creates an unequal playing field for other people in the rental market. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien informed the members of the lower house of parliament about this, the Irish Independent writes.
“People were paid 800 euros for housing Ukrainians, regardless of whether the refugee works or what his income is. This gives Ukrainians an advantage that other tenants do not have. This puts other tenants out of the market, which is unfair,” Sinn Féin representative Pearse Doherty said.
In February, Sinn Féin introduced an amendment to the Ukrainian refugee aid scheme, which the government voted for.
“Our amendment concerns the €800 tax-free payment given to landlords and host families who provide properties to Ukrainians, and the extension of this scheme for another year,” said Pearse Doherty.
He explained that the owner of a house in the district, where the average rent is 800 euros, can rent the premises to a private tenant for this amount, taking into account the tax, or to Ukrainians with temporary protection, when the tax does not have to be paid. The second option gives landlords a profit of hundreds of euros.