Number of Ukrainian refugees coming to Ireland jumps ahead of new accommodation limit

The number of Ukrainian refugees offered temporary protection jumped considerably at the end of January. 

Latest figures show that in the seven days up to the end of January 28, there were 628 Ukrainians offered temporary protection.

This was up from 390 for the previous week.

This rise in numbers will add further pressure to find accommodation for those fleeing the war with Russia.

Recently announced new rules will see newly arrived Ukrainians offered 90 days in State accommodation before they have to find their own place to live as well as a cut to social welfare from €232 to €38.80. These new rules are expected to come into effect in early February. 

The latest figures do not specify if Ukrainians who have arrived in Ireland in recent days are coming directly from Ukraine or another EU country.

The Government announced late last year that it will introduce a 90-day limit on State-provided accommodation for refugees from Ukraine arriving to Ireland. Social protection payments for new arrivals will also be significantly reduced.  

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government does not expect the number of Ukrainians to reduce by a particular amount over the coming weeks due to a pared back offering.

“We don’t have a particular figure for our target as such,” he said.

“It’s our expectation that because we’ve brought what we offer more into line with what’s the case in other Western European countries that the numbers coming in will fall, but it’s not just about that.

“Let’s not forget why people are here. They’re fleeing a really brutal war in Ukraine.

“When we survey them and ask them why they come to Ireland, they list two main reasons: English speaking and very far away from Russia. Neither of those things are going to change.

“What I hope will change is the course of the war in Ukraine so that Ukraine can be successful in the war, and the war will come to an end and then we can start to talk to people here from Ukraine about the possibility of going home but we’re not at that point at this stage.”

The changes remove access to most social welfare benefits to beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) while they are living in State-provided accommodation.

It will instead establish a weekly payment to BOTPs while they are living in State-provided accommodation in lieu of social welfare payments.

In effect, arrivals from Ukraine will receive a weekly expenses allowance of €38.80 – down from the current jobseekers’ allowance rate of €232 per week.

They will still have access to child benefit and additional needs payments if they meet eligibility requirements.