Dozens of Ukrainian refugee centres are being closed in Ireland
Date: 2024-08-28 Author: Alexei Fomin Categories: WORLD
Since the beginning of summer, about 190 Ukrainian accommodation centres have been closed
According to the Irish government, in mid-August 2024, 40,058 Ukrainians with temporary protection were living in government-contracted housing. This is 30% less than last year (57,502 in August 2023).
In May 2024, the Department of Integration announced that, as part of the government's policy of providing housing for only 90 days, a significant number of centres where Ukrainians are accommodated would be closed.
Since then, 189 contracts for the provision of housing for refugees from Ukraine have been terminated. Of these, 175 were terminated by the government, and 14 by the housing providers themselves. Contracts with another 100 centres are still being terminated.
In August 2024, 855 establishments continue to accommodate Ukrainians under contract with the government, compared to 993 in August 2023. Some places are used to accommodate applicants for international protection after the departure of Ukrainians.
According to the Department of Integration, about 12 hotels that previously accommodated only Ukrainians are now "hybrid facilities" where both Ukrainians with temporary protection and refugees from other countries live. Another center, previously used for Ukrainians, is now used exclusively to accommodate asylum seekers.
How many Ukrainian refugees live in families
Many Ukrainians have found refuge in the homes of local residents. About 28,800 Ukrainian refugees live in more than 15,100 Irish families.
Households that host Ukrainian refugees receive a monthly payment of €800. Since the launch of the support scheme in July 2022, the government has paid €165 million for such reception.
There are currently 107,279 Ukrainian refugees living in Ireland. The flow of people into the country has been slowing down recently. In July 2024, an average of 33 Ukrainian refugees arrived in the country per day. In July 2023, the number of new arrivals reached an average of 113 people per day.
Did the reduction in payments affect the departure of people?
The Irish government has reduced assistance to Ukrainians with temporary protection since March 14. The changes in the rules only affected new arrivals to the country. While the rest of the Ukrainian refugees still had unlimited free accommodation in public housing, those who arrived from March 14 are limited to 90 days. They also receive reduced payments for these 3 months - not 232 euros per week, but 38.80 euros. After leaving public housing, the payments increase.
According to the Irish Ministry of Justice, since March 14, 2024, only 65 Ukrainian refugees have refused temporary protection. However, the department cannot say how many people have left, because there are no such regular checks.
At the same time, since the introduction of reduced benefits, 4,260 Ukrainians have come to Ireland for protection, including 1,139 children. About 5% of applicants were refused temporary protection.
From September, the reduction in payments for refugees in state housing with full board will apply to all Ukrainians, regardless of the date of their arrival in Ireland. The reduction in payments will equalize both Ukrainian refugees and seekers of international protection in state housing.
According to the Irish government, in mid-August 2024, 40,058 Ukrainians with temporary protection were living in government-contracted housing. This is 30% less than last year (57,502 in August 2023).
In May 2024, the Department of Integration announced that, as part of the government's policy of providing housing for only 90 days, a significant number of centres where Ukrainians are accommodated would be closed.
Since then, 189 contracts for the provision of housing for refugees from Ukraine have been terminated. Of these, 175 were terminated by the government, and 14 by the housing providers themselves. Contracts with another 100 centres are still being terminated.
In August 2024, 855 establishments continue to accommodate Ukrainians under contract with the government, compared to 993 in August 2023. Some places are used to accommodate applicants for international protection after the departure of Ukrainians.
According to the Department of Integration, about 12 hotels that previously accommodated only Ukrainians are now "hybrid facilities" where both Ukrainians with temporary protection and refugees from other countries live. Another center, previously used for Ukrainians, is now used exclusively to accommodate asylum seekers.
How many Ukrainian refugees live in families
Many Ukrainians have found refuge in the homes of local residents. About 28,800 Ukrainian refugees live in more than 15,100 Irish families.
Households that host Ukrainian refugees receive a monthly payment of €800. Since the launch of the support scheme in July 2022, the government has paid €165 million for such reception.
There are currently 107,279 Ukrainian refugees living in Ireland. The flow of people into the country has been slowing down recently. In July 2024, an average of 33 Ukrainian refugees arrived in the country per day. In July 2023, the number of new arrivals reached an average of 113 people per day.
Did the reduction in payments affect the departure of people?
The Irish government has reduced assistance to Ukrainians with temporary protection since March 14. The changes in the rules only affected new arrivals to the country. While the rest of the Ukrainian refugees still had unlimited free accommodation in public housing, those who arrived from March 14 are limited to 90 days. They also receive reduced payments for these 3 months - not 232 euros per week, but 38.80 euros. After leaving public housing, the payments increase.
According to the Irish Ministry of Justice, since March 14, 2024, only 65 Ukrainian refugees have refused temporary protection. However, the department cannot say how many people have left, because there are no such regular checks.
At the same time, since the introduction of reduced benefits, 4,260 Ukrainians have come to Ireland for protection, including 1,139 children. About 5% of applicants were refused temporary protection.
From September, the reduction in payments for refugees in state housing with full board will apply to all Ukrainians, regardless of the date of their arrival in Ireland. The reduction in payments will equalize both Ukrainian refugees and seekers of international protection in state housing.
