Although Ireland is far from the first place in terms of the number of Ukrainian refugees accepted, the country’s authorities are gradually introducing new measures to reduce the influx of migrants. In particular, since March, the amount of social assistance for asylum seekers has been reduced here. Now they are reporting restrictions on free housing for Ukrainians. Most of the refugee accommodation centers are to be closed in the coming months.
There will be no more free housing
Due to the fact that from now on Ukrainians in Ireland have the right to use free housing only for three months after their arrival, centers for accommodating migrants are being closed en masse in the country. The majority of asylums for refugees will stop working by the end of the summer, the Ministry of Integration of Ireland said.
In addition to the so-called “90-day policy”, which limits the length of stay in free housing or shelters, the demand for accommodation in refugee centers is decreasing due to a decrease in the influx of new migrants. Today, more Ukrainians leave the country than enter. In addition, many of those who came to Ireland in 2022 and 2023 have already found work and are renting housing on their own.
“Our 90-day accommodation policy means that beneficiaries of temporary protection who arrived in Ireland after March 14 will not be provided with long-term housing. Every day, some Ukrainians leave social housing on their own initiative. They look for and rent apartments on their own,” – noted in Ministry of Integration.
14 days for eviction
Currently, more than half of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland (47 out of 86,000) enjoy the right to free housing.
A week ago, around 170 residents of the Lough Allen Hotel in Drumshanbo were given just two weeks to vacate the premises, which are due to close next Friday. Most of those who lived in the hotel are Ukrainian women with children. They complained that they would not be able to find new housing for two weeks.
The ministry noted that the refugees were warned about the temporary nature of housing provision. The officials add that a significant part of the women who live in the hotel are already employed, and their children go to schools or kindergartens. The agency hopes that the refugees will find new housing in time. However, those who cannot find apartments before being evicted from the hotel are promised temporary shelter.
Payments for refugees were also reduced
Since March, so has the Irish government reduced the amount of payments for beneficiaries of temporary protection. Now Ukrainians do not receive 220 euros per week, but 38.80 euros per adult and 29.80 euros per child.
In total, about 110,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since the start of the full-scale war. Only 86,000 of our fellow citizens remained in the country. If in December 2023, about 70 Ukrainians crossed the border every day, then in February 2024 – 25. On average, 37 Ukrainians leave Ireland every day.
