Over 1,300 households in Kerry are availing of a €600 payment offered by the Irish government to individuals who provide accommodation to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
This is the fifth highest number of recipients in the country when compared to other counties.
The Accommodation Recognition Payment, or ARP, is a way for the Irish government to acknowledge and thank those who are providing accommodation to Ukranians seeking refuge.
The ARP is available to individuals who are hosting Ukrainian refugees in their own homes or in vacant properties, whether privately or through schemes like the Irish Red Cross pledge process.
The payment is €600 per month, per property, and it is a tax-free sum, where accommodatio is provided for a minimum of 6 months.
Since the scheme launched in July 2022, over €339m has been paid to over 26,000 recipients in respect of hosting over 56,000 temporary protection beneficiaries.
As of the 13th of July, 21,803 households are in receipt of the payment nationwide, with 1,303 of these in Kerry.
Kerry has the fifth highest number of ARP recipients in the country, behind Dublin (3292), Donegal (2070), Cork (1611) and Mayo (1425) respectively.
The figures were provided by Minister for Justice and Equality Jim O'Callaghan following a query from Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy.
