Cabinet agrees to cut payments for Ukrainian refugees

By Cate McCurry and Cillian Sherlock, PA

The Government has agreed to slash payments for all Ukrainian refugees living in State accommodation who had not been included in an earlier cut.

Ukrainian refugees who fled to Ireland between 2022 and early 2024 will have their allowances cut from the job seekers’ rate of €232 to a lower rate in the next three months.

A reduced payment of €38.80 per week already was applied to Ukrainians who arrived after an earlier change of policy in mid-March, but those who entered the country before that deadline remained on the higher amount.

However, Taoiseach Simon Harris described the plans to make the rate the same for all Ukrainians receiving international protection, regardless of when they arrived, as “fair” and in line with “best practice”.

The Government said the expanded measure was in response to a “growing number of people seeking protection in Ireland”.

It will mean many of the 100,000 people who arrived in the State during the first two years of the war will receive the same allowance as those who have arrived after the Government slashed rates for new arrivals.

The move is among a number of measures to tighten rules around immigration.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys and Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman are to work on the proposals which are to have an estimated 12-week lead-in time.

Entitlements of international-protection applicants are to be reviewed by the ministers every six weeks.

The Government also agreed the use of State-owned locations for tented accommodation.

There will also be an increase in targeted workplace inspections in sectors or firms where the Government believes there is an increased risk of non-compliance with employment regulations for migrants.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Mr Harris said the proposals are about “consistency of approach”.

“It doesn’t seem sensible to me that you could have two children from Ukraine at the same school today in a very different system of treatment for one person’s family versus the other,” he added.

“There needs to be a consistency of approach.

“Obviously, we have many people from Ukraine in our country. Many of them are working and making a valuable contribution to business right across Ireland, all of them with a legal entitlement to work.

“I think we need to see that consistency of approach in relation to welfare and we need to make sure the system is financially sustainable.

“I think Irish people have been incredibly generous and compassionate.

“But at the same time, we also have to make sure the systems we have in place are grounded in common sense, that they are fair and in line with what is best practice across the European Union.”

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has been tasked with completing a review of airline fines over passengers arriving without documents.

Ms McEntee is also finalising a review of designated safe countries.

Mr Harris said: “It’s not necessarily just about a headline rate of payment, but more about how the welfare system and the accommodation system interacts.

“Crucially, I want Ireland to be in line with the European Union. This is about looking at what other European countries are doing and making sure our country isn’t out of kilter.

“Ireland will always live up to its international obligations. Ireland will always take a compassionate approach. Ireland benefits from migration.

“We also have to make sure our system is working, [our] system is efficient and effective, and meets the common sense test that Irish people wants to see us apply.”