LAST UPDATE | 31 Oct 2023
TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has indicated that any change to Ukrainian refugee accommodation, which would make it time-limited, would only apply to people arriving into Ireland and will not apply to refugees already here.
As part of an imminent proposal to Cabinet in the coming weeks, State-provided accommodation for new arrivals from Ukraine is set to be limited to just 90 days.
Speaking in Kilkenny this morning, Martin was asked about the possible changes and what he would say to Ukrainians who are worried that in the months ahead they will be forced to leave their accomodation.
“That’s not contemplated for those who are already in accomodation,” he said.
The Tanaiste said that the “original intention” was for the time-limited restriction to be imposed on people arriving into Ireland, rather than refugees that are already here.
An overhaul of the whole Ukraine refugee response is on the cards, with significant changes due to be made in areas such social protection, education and housing.
It comes after government concerns about the the increase in the number of Ukrainians arriving who have been located in other European countries prior to coming to Ireland.
The Journal reported over the weekend that there are concerns in government that tented and cabin accommodation options, as well site locations for Ukrainians, are running out as we head into winter.
The arrival numbers are back up to high levels of between 700 – 800 per week, it is understood.
Speaking today, Martin said that Ireland has responded “very strongly” with close to 98,000 Ukrainian refugees coming to Ireland in the past year.
“And obviously, that creates its own challenges and so the government will continue to review this and give this consideration,” he added.
The Tánaiste said all of these matters are still subject to further examination, however, he said providing education supports to children arriving form Ukraine remains a priority for him.
“I think, fundamentally we have provided a range of supports, one of the most fundamental being that children coming into the country must always be educated, must always be facilitated in terms of access to schools, that would be a bottom line for me,” he said.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Ireland is not going to refuse Ukrainian refugees or other asylum seekers, but that the Government “can’t be blind to (the) reality” that Ireland is seen as more attractive than other EU countries.
“We’re not going to turn anyone away,” he said as he opened a new road in Athy, Co Kildare.
“No Ukrainian who comes to Ireland is going to be told ‘you’re not welcome here’. Nobody coming from other parts of the world seeking international protection is going to be told to go away. They’ll have their application processed.
“But what we are saying is that we’re seeing increasing numbers of what are called secondary movements, Ukrainians who had been living in other parts of Western Europe for a number of months or even over a year, people seeking international protection, who may have fled a country where they weren’t safe but have actually been living in other parts of Western Europe for a number of months or a number of years, and that is different.
“And we do believe that part of the reason why we’re seeing those secondary movements is because the offering that we have in Ireland is different to that of other countries.”
He said that Ireland had accepted an “unprecedented” number of people from overseas from the war in Ukraine and others seeking international protection, compared to 3,000 or 4,000 in previous years.
“So you can see how much the situation has changed and we can’t be blind to that reality.”
Varadkar said that if social welfare payments were to be cut for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland, it would be done by way of a joint memo.
“So a memo that would be co-ordinated by my office, the Department of the Taoiseach, but will be brought forward by a number of ministers because we have to look at the whole thing in the round, how it impacts on schools, healthcare, on the housing situation as well.”
Varadkar said he could not say when the proposal would come into effect.
“There have been some draft proposals brought forward by Minister (for Integration Roderic) O’Gorman, but they only related to accommodation and we’ve formed the view that we have to see it all in the round and take into account social protection, education, healthcare, housing, all of those things.
“So certainly not this week. Maybe in the next couple of weeks, but we don’t have a timeline as of yet.”
Asked whether Ireland had the power to turn away Ukrainians coming from a secondary EU country, Varadkar said: “I don’t believe so.
“Under the temporary protection directive, somebody fleeing Ukraine can seek temporary protection in any EU member state, and that then gives them the freedom to travel within the European Union.”
While the coalition leaders have dismissed any suggestions of a split at Cabinet over the issues, the matter did result in heated discussions being held at last week’s Cabinet meeting.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe told The Journal on Friday that an announcement of changes to the Ukrainian support policy will be announced within weeks.
With the Taoiseach and a number of ministers travelling to South Korea tomorrow, the decision will be pushed out by a week or so, it is understood.
The Taoiseach confirmed last week that one consideration is bringing social welfare supports on offer to Ukrainian refugees in line with what other European countries offer.
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