Up to 36,000 Ukrainians could face homelessness in Ireland if the Government doesn't extend the Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme.

The hosting support programme is due to expire on March 31st.

National Coordinator of the Ukraine Civil Society Response Emma Lane-Spollen has said that hosting has reduced pressure on the rental market.

"Hosting is an extraordinary success story in Ireland," she said.

"It's been really effective in bringing in, you know, spare rooms, vacant homes - things that would not normally have been rented.

"It has effectively reduced the pressure that would otherwise have been on the rental market.

"As a result it's reporting 36,000 people. There is huge anxiety and concern because the people really don't know what is going to happen."

The scheme came into effect in July 2022 to encourage people to open their homes to Ukrainian refugees.

Main image: Ukrainians gather on O'Connell Street, Dublin, to mark 365 days of the Ukraine war, 24/02/2023.