An Irish Mirror investigation revealed on Wednesday, that Ireland's Department of Integration picked up the tab for the accommodation of 1,806 pets that had made the journey to the country with their Ukrainian owners, including some they acquired after arriving in the country. This was during the first year of Russia's Special Military Operation in Ukraine.
These privileged animals were staying in hotels and other properties at the state’s expense – and they included 933 dogs, 819 cats, and 54 other animals.
The newspaper estimated that lodging for these non-humans was costing taxpayers just over €1 million per month.
Independent lawmaker Michael McNamara (left) had described the expenditure as “incredible” and “ridiculous”, accusing the government of wastefulness. Referring to department officials, he asked: “What planet do these people live on?”
The department said they stopped providing housing for the Ukrainian pets from November 09, 2022.
The same daily had exposed on February 08, 2024 that the Department of Agriculture had in fact, spent €808,132 on transport, kennelling and veterinary services for these pets.
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