Homes for Ukraine: NI 'fully looped into' scheme says Michael Gove

Northern Ireland can play a full role in housing Ukrainian refugees in spite of the absence of an executive at Stormont, MPs have been told.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Communities, said on Monday night that all parts of the UK would be involved in the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

People who take in refugees will be known as sponsors.

Sponsors in Northern Ireland will be entitled to claim £350 a month like the rest of the UK.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme is now taking applications from people in Northern Ireland who want to offer shelter.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has said people would be matched from Friday, "if they're able to offer accommodation, whether it's people who've got spare accommodation, businesses and individuals".

However, Stormont is currently without a functioning devolved government, known as the Northern Ireland Executive.

It collapsed on 4 February when the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) pulled its first minister out of office, which meant other executive ministers cannot take any significant decisions or agree a budget.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Gove acknowledged the complications at Stormont.

"We know the political situation in Northern Ireland, but we did have the opportunity to talk to Jayne Brady [the head] of the Northern Ireland Civil Service in order to make sure that Northern Ireland was fully looped into this approach, and both the secretary of state and the minister of state in the Northern Ireland Office are committed to doing everything to help," he told MPs.

DUP MP Gavin Robinson and Alliance Party MP Stephen Farry both raised questions about how the scheme would operate in Northern Ireland.

It is not clear exactly how extra funding required for school places and health services would be managed in the absence of an executive.

An online portal for people to register their interest in providing accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine has opened on the UK government website.

A spokesperson for the Executive Office at Stormont said the sponsorship scheme would operate in Northern Ireland and expressions of interest in providing accommodation from both individuals and groups was strongly encouraged.

"While the details will be announced by Westminster, we are working at pace, making preparations so we stand ready to provide sanctuary to Ukrainian refugees," the spokesperson added.

"Mindful of the pressure on social housing stock, officials are also engaging with councils and the voluntary and community sector to find creative ways of bringing suitable accommodation into use and identifying all available capacity."

The spokesperson added they were also in contact with the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing.

"We will participate fully in this humanitarian effort," the Executive Office said.

"Partnership across sectors and wider society will be key to ensuring we can support as many Ukrainian people seeking sanctuary here as possible."

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he had space within his home and "would be pleased to receive some of those fleeing from Ukraine".

It is understood Alliance leader Naomi Long is considering doing the same, but would not seek payment.

In the Republic of Ireland, the cabinet is set to hold an urgent video conference on Tuesday to discuss the war in Ukraine, broadcaster RTÉ reports.

The taoiseach (Irish prime minister) is currently in the US ahead of events to mark St Patrick's Day, but will chair the meeting.

Accommodation is expected to be a key focus for the meeting, with Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko saying almost 6,000 refugees have arrived in Ireland over the last two weeks.

"It's very difficult for them, some of them don't have friends or relatives here," she said.

"They don't understand how the system in the country works."

Ms Gerasko thanked the Irish government and people for the warm welcome Ukrainians had received.

She added that while it was difficult to predict the number of refugees who would seek help in Ireland, she estimated it could be about 80,000 people.

The Irish government announced the lifting of visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland last month, but Ms Gerasko said many people did not know that.

Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said he expected further sanctions against Russia to be announced in the near future.

He said sanctions were "undermining" Russia and the European Commission was "currently considering what further steps can be taken".