LAST UPDATE | 9 Mar 2022

JUSTICE MINISTER HELEN McEntee has said that she is considering taking in Ukrainian refugees, as more than 2,500 refugees have already arrived in Ireland so far, with a third of those being children.

McEntee said around 400 Ukrainians are arriving in Ireland every day as they flee the Russian invasion of their country.

When asked on Newstalk earlier today whether or not she would consider taking in Ukrainian refugees, McEntee said that she had discussed it with her husband.

“I’ll be honest, it is something I have discussed with my husband,” McEntee said.

“I think it’s a very personal decision that everybody has to take… yes, it’s something I’m considering.”

She said that it will differ from household to household, depending on how much space they have to offer.

McEntee did ask people to be patient with the new system while it processes people’s applications.

“I would ask people to have patience because obviously we’ve just put this system in place and we have to work through the offers.

“We have to look at what exactly we need initially.

“We are able to accommodate the people who are coming in but we know as the figures get bigger that won’t be the case any longer but we will get through to contacting absolutely everybody as quickly as we can.”

Speaking at Dublin Airport alongside Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys, McEntee said that two thirds of those arriving were female – many of whom had left husbands and fathers behind in Ukraine.

Both ministers were at Dublin Airport to see the systems being put in place to welcome and process arrivals from Ukraine.

Refugees from the war-torn country will receive a PPS number allowing them to work and access supports, as well as a letter confirming their access to temporary protection.

The government has also said that Ukrainians entering Ireland will receive medical cards.

Those arriving will also be registered for social welfare supports and provided with accommodation where necessary.

Ireland’s approach to the refugee crisis is being coordinated with the EU and has reportedly led to friction with the UK government. 

The Telegraph newspaper yesterday quoted a British government source as saying that Ireland “has basically opened the door to everyone in Ukraine” leading to security concerns. 

McEntee confirmed that she has been speaking to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel but refused to comment on The Telegraph report. 

“We engage regularly with the Home Office. We’ve been speaking to them directly about this issue and the invasion of Ukraine since February 24. I have spoken directly to Priti Patel myself and our team and our offices are in constant co-operation,” she said. 

It is really important that we do make sure the appropriate measures are taken, security checks are put in place and obviously where necessary information is shared between our offices and those in the UK.

“We discussed a number of things but obviously our focus and our priority was making sure that we stayed in contact with each other, that we’re able to share information where necessary.

“The conversations I have with Priti Patel are the most important, not the reports I read on a newspaper.”

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A view of a welcome room at a new processing facility at Dublin Airport. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

McEntee and Humphreys today met with some of the people who had arrived from Ukraine.

A dedicated room at the centre, filled with toys, baby food and nappies, has been opened for Ukrainian children.

“They have come from extremely, extremely difficult situations and they are so relieved to be here. They’re also very concerned – they’ve left their husbands, their fathers behind them,” Humphreys said.

“It is a very difficult situation for them. We want to make sure that when they arrive here, they get all the support they can.”

McEntee said that a very significant number of Ukrainians will continue to arrive in the weeks to come.

“We are trying to process this as quickly as possible,” she said.

It has been estimated that Ireland could ultimately welcome a multiple of 20,000 refugees from Ukraine, as the war continues.

Additional reporting by Tadgh McNally