The Department of Integration will be able to pay for housing Ukrainians and other refugees thanks to the supplementary estimate that the Government approved.

Since the start of the war last year, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have moved to Ireland. More than 70,000 people are living in housing that is provided by the government.

Following Tuesday's cabinet discussion, the funding agreement was made public by Ministers of Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and Integration Roderic O'Gorman.

While the amount diverted to the department was at the higher end of the estimate, Mr. Donohoe made it clear that provisions for the supplementary estimate had already been taken into account when last year's budget was announced.

Responding to questions from reporters, Mr. O'Gorman said that because of the ongoing stress on the housing market, a small number of Ukrainians would continue to be housed in tents, a situation that is expected to last all winter.

“Today I have approved an additional one billion euros for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to support the Department in meeting costs associated with accommodating Ukrainians fleeing the war and those seeking international protection,” Mr. Donohoe said.

“This supplementary estimate will be covered by the contingency set aside by the Government in Budget 2023 to address non-core pressures, such as this.”

The state's humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis will continue to be supported by this funding.