In 2022, Ireland generously welcomed Ukrainians fleeing from the onslaught of their homeland by Russia. The European Union had activated the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time, necessitating all member states, except Denmark, to offer amenities like housing, social welfare, medical assistance, education, and job opportunities to the Ukrainian refugees.
Ireland excelled in its hospitality, promising indefinite housing and full social welfare benefits, which was unparalleled amongst other states that had perhaps faced diverse migration encounters. Current estimates show about 100,000 Ukrainians residing in Ireland. However, in March, the government significantly scaled back the facilities offered to newcomers. Post-March, only 90-day accommodation and a weekly payment of €38.80 per adult was guaranteed, instead of the complete social welfare sum of €232 per week.
The government claimed this was a step to align Irish aid with other EU countries and also an intent to render Ireland less desirable to Ukrainians, especially when the system was grappling with an upsurge in applicants for International Protection from various nations.
More modifications have recently been announced. From next month end, the €232 social welfare disbursement to the 27,000 Ukrainian refugees residing in state housing will be reduced to €38.80. This move has received criticism from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Irish Red Cross, and the Ukrainian ambassador. Predominantly, as many of the affected belong to susceptible groups like the elderly, women, children, or individuals with specific needs, who might be compelled to return to Ukraine, currently under fresh Russian aggression.
It seems that these new policies are partly executed to vacate state housing to accommodate International Protection applicants. Ukrainian refugees who manage to procure their individual accommodation are eligible for full social welfare.
The government’s initial plan of changes from March seems to be effective, with a noticeable downturn in arrivals from Ukraine reported. The Ukrainians in Ireland appear to understand the government’s predicament. However, the second set of changes could face problems, particularly if the government, heeding the warnings about the vulnerable groups, is reminded of election commitments made in haste could revisit and plague in the forthcoming times.