Tánaiste Simon Harris has been questioned in the Dáil over claims that the Government is covering the cost of car repairs for some Ukrainian refugees – including an engine replacement worth €7,000.

Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn claimed that Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine had received sums ranging from €400 to €7,000 for vehicle repairs, including the purchase of new tyres.

He asked Mr Harris whether these payments were also available to asylum seekers from other countries, and remarked that he was unaware of any other government in the world “that is repairing people’s cars”.

Mr O’Flynn compared the expenditure to the “€1 million per month for cats and dogs from Ukraine”, referring to an Irish Mirror report last year, which revealed that the Government was paying for the accommodation of BOTPs’ pets.

Mr Harris undertook to look into the claims, but asserted that “we shouldn’t be giving out a widespread sense that people from Ukraine are getting new cars, new tyres, and repairs”.

“We help people out who have fled war in Ukraine,” said the Tánaiste, before being interrupted by Mr O’Flynn, who added: “By repairing their cars?”

“I’m going to get you information in relation to any such payments,” Mr Harris told the Cork TD. “But let me tell you, people who have fled here from very difficult situations, have fled here in very difficult situations.

“I’m proud of the level of support we provide them and I don’t want to give a sense [to] people watching in… that there’s widespread repairs of people’s cars going on – let’s have a sense of perspective.

“The people that I know from Ukraine who come here are making a bloody great contribution to the Irish economy. They’re making a great contribution with their kids in our schools, they’re working hard, and they’re very welcome here,” added the Tánaiste.

“They’re European, and I look forward to welcoming them into the European Union very shortly.”

Mr Harris and Mr O’Flynn exchanged words across the floor of the Dáil following his answer, during which the Tánaiste referred to the TD as a “dog whistler” a number of times.

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