The government aims to eliminate a "two-tier system" where some people receive long-term housing and others do not, Irish Minister of State for Immigration Colm Brophy stated.
"We are striving for a situation where equality and fairness will prevail in all areas, and this means that in terms of access to housing, you receive it on the same terms as those who work and live in Ireland and are also looking for housing," Brophy explained.
The process is set to start in August. It will not be immediate and will last about six months.
Approximately 16k people now living in hotels and other commercial properties could fall under the changes. Each person should receive a letter three months prior to eviction.
At the same time, authorities promise that support will be maintained for vulnerable categories. This refers to people who face specific obstacles to living independently.
"We announced that we want to start this in August, with the aim of implementing it over the coming months," Brophy noted.
"We want to give people time to find alternative options. We want people to know what awaits them in the second half of the year so they have enough time to prepare."
The situation in Ireland's rental market remains difficult: housing is scarce, and prices are high. At the same time, the ministry believes that some Ukrainians will be able to find alternative options on their own.
Brophy referred to last year's experience when about half of the Ukrainians found new housing independently after hotel contracts were terminated.
"I assume that someone will talk to a journalist and say they cannot find housing," he added.
"But in the vast majority of cases, as we have seen so far, Ukrainians are very, very resilient in terms of finding housing because there is a strong Ukrainian community here."
The changes will affect not only hotels. The Irish government also plans to gradually reduce payments to locals who host Ukrainians in their homes.
These households now receive 600 euros per month. This amount will be gradually reduced, and by March 2027, the payments are to be completely canceled. This coincides with the end of temporary protection in the EU.