The Government still does not have a timeframe for when there might be changes to the accommodation and welfare given to Ukrainians arriving in Ireland, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said.

Paschal Donohoe said the Government is assessing the supports that are in place and the process was taking place across a number of different departments.

He said: "As important as financial considerations are, and for me, they're really important, what is even more important in the medium and the short term is our actual ability to provide accommodation to people who are coming to Ireland."

Mr Donohoe said there was real concern regarding conditions that could develop as the war between Ukraine and Russia continues.

Earlier this month, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the Government is not aiming to deter new arrivals from Ukraine by changing the benefits offered to them.

Mr Martin said his view was that any child arriving in Ireland must get an education.

Last month, a "robust" Cabinet discussion on possible changes to the accommodation provided for people arriving from Ukraine failed to reach an agreement.

Under the changes, new arrivals would spend 90 days in dormitory-style accommodation after which they would have to find a place to live.

The proposed changes were described as not humane, practical or sensible by the charity Effective Aid.

Latest figures show there are around 74,000 Ukrainians in State accommodation and currently an average of 700 to 800 Ukrainians are seeking refuge in Ireland every week.

Statutory guidance on protected disclosures published

Mr Donohoe was speaking as he published new statutory guidance for public bodies on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.

The purpose of the guidance is to assist public bodies in understanding their obligations under the act and give practical advice as regards best practices in setting up and operating reporting channels for workers to raise concerns about any wrongdoing in the workplace.

Welcoming its publication, Mr Donohoe said: "Ireland has one of the strongest whistleblower protection laws in the world but what really matters is how the legislation operates in practice.

"The statutory guidance is intended to help leaders and managers in the public sector understand their obligations under the legislation and how to go about implementing an effective process for handling protected disclosures in their organisations."

The new guidance will mean all public bodies regardless of their size must now have internal reporting channels.

In the private sector, all companies with 250 or more employees must already have internal channels and from 17 December, the threshold will fall to 50 employees.

Mr Donohoe said: "We have looked at both national and international research and good practice in this area.

"The guidance also takes on board a number of rulings by the courts that have provided useful interpretations of how the act should be applied,"

As next month's deadline approaches, he said all employers must have the correct channels in place.

Mr Donohoe added workers should speak up on issues of wrongdoing and victimisation.