Press release
Statement following Government Meeting on 28 October 2022
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
The government held an incorporeal meeting today to consider further proposals regarding Ireland’s response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the illegal and immoral Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Since the Russian invasion started in February 2022, the EU has made every effort to assist the citizens fleeing the war under the Temporary Protection Directive. Ireland has helped to accommodate up to 56,000 men, women and children from Ukraine with thousands of children in primary and post primary school and also over 10,000 Ukrainians working. Ireland will continue to meet its obligations under this Directive.
The current package of measures in place to accommodate and support Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine was designed as a crisis response on a short-term emergency basis.
The government today focused on how to continue the sustained support for those fleeing the war, including those already here, as well as those likely to be further displaced by the ongoing conflict.
Government agreed that a move from an emergency response to a more mainstreamed approach is appropriate in light of the high numbers of people seeking asylum, the need to maximise all existing capacity, to bring greater consistency and to ensure equity for all those who rely on state supports.
This includes taking account of the level of income supports being provided by the State in addition to accommodation and access to a range of state services. This will include moving to a more standard offer of “accommodation only” with Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection utilising existing state income supports to pay for food and day-to-day expenses.
Government also acknowledged that some communities have welcomed a significant number of arrivals from Ukraine and that contribution must be recognised. The Minister for Rural and Community Development and Minister for Housing will work with colleagues to develop a €50 million programme of supports to ensure that that contribution is recognised and that levels of access to public services and community centre facilities for the local community are maintained and expanded.
Government agreed to expand and accelerate the refurbishment programme and the rapid build (modular homes) programme. This will include ensuring all available properties, including those with dormitory style configuration, are utilised to avoid any person being turned away. The government has agreed to substantially increase the number of units to be delivered in 2023. A State-led Vacant Homes Call will be launched and led by Local Authorities to ensure more rapid turnaround of the mobilisation of the offers from the public.
In recognition of this contribution to the crisis, the Recognition Payment will be doubled to €800 with effect from 1 December 2022 in line with the launch of the new Vacant Homes Call. Work will continue with the Ukrainian community to assess and respond to concerns regarding access to local services and isolation with local transport solutions for homes in more rural locations.
Government also considered an assessment of future housing needs arising from the population changes arising from the Ukraine crisis and this will be reviewed.
Finally, policy work will continue by various departments on assessing options in respect of beneficiaries of temporary protection after the period of Temporary Protection comes to an end.
In the immediate term, Government remains firmly focused on the day-to-day challenge currently being experienced in sourcing a suitable volume of accommodation to meet the significant number of daily arrivals. It acknowledged that there are likely to be ongoing capacity issues but Ireland stands over its international commitments to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in doing all it can to provide a place of safety to those fleeing this unjust war.