Welfare for all Ukrainians already in Ireland may be cut

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has said the Government might “down the road” have to reduce welfare payments for all Ukrainians staying in State accommodation.

She told the Dáil that the EU’s Temporary Directive ends in March 2025 and the Government needs flexibility as it starts to plan for that.

The minister was speaking as the Dáil voted by a margin of 108 to 15 to approve legislation that will reduce welfare payments for new arrivals from Ukraine.

The legislation, which will now go to the Seanad, will cut the weekly payment from €232 to €38.80 for those arriving here from Ukraine next month.

The change will also mean that new arrivals will only get a guarantee of State-provided accommodation for 90 days.

The minister said this is about bringing Ireland in line with other EU countries and Government had already “put roofs over the heads” of 75,000 Ukrainians.

Ms Humphreys stated that people will have to take responsibility for their own accommodation after 90 days.

The minister suggested they could find a place to live themselves, get a job, or else “move on”.

New arrivals will stay in designated centres, the first two of which are at Stradbally in Co Laois and Ballyogan in Dublin.