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Social welfare ends for those arriving from Ukraine

Legislation to revise supports for those arriving into Ireland from Ukraine has commenced.

From tomorrow (14 March), anyone arriving from Ukraine who registers for temporary protection and is looking for State-provided housing in Ireland, will be accommodated for a maximum of 90 days.

They will be provided with food, laundry, other services and integration supports in designated accommodation centres.

Standard social welfare payments will no longer be available.

Reduced allowance

A reduced weekly allowance of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child will be given in respect of daily expenses. Entitlement to child benefit is not affected.

When they leave the designated accommodation, or if they make their own accommodation arrangements on arrival, they will be entitled to apply for standard social welfare assistance, equivalent to Irish citizens subject to meeting the eligibility conditions.

The Government has stated that it is making these changes in order to “to align more closely with other EU Member States”.

The changes will not affect people from Ukraine who previously arrived in Ireland and are already registered for temporary protection.

Six accommodation centres have been identified to provide 90 days of accommodation for new arrivals.

The first five to be confirmed under the new legislation are:

• Ballyogan Road, Dublin City (capacity: 392),
• Stradbally, Co Laois (capacity: 950),
• Fernbank, Limerick City (capacity: 250),
• Punchestown, Co Kildare (capacity: 378),
• Gerald Griffin Street, Cork City (capacity: 107).

The remaining centres will be announced once finalised.

This change does not apply to others seeking international protection in Ireland.