Ireland preparing payments for Ukrainians who return home

The Irish government is preparing special payments for Ukrainians who return to their home country and is planning to scale back its accommodation program, Irish Migration Minister Colm Brophy has said.

According to Ukrinform, The Times reports this.

The minister stated that the Irish government intends to cancel the state support program for around 16,000 Ukrainians who arrived in the country at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The government is also working on a “return assistance package.”

Reportedly, Ukrainians currently receiving shelter in Ireland can obtain financial support to return to their country of origin, ranging from €2,500 per person to €10,000 per family.

The outlet adds that the Irish government is discussing ending the Temporary Protection Directive or introducing alternative measures that would limit support for Ukrainian refugees, leaving it only for those from the most heavily affected regions of Ukraine.

At the same time, payments to Irish residents hosting Ukrainians are planned to be reduced from €600 to €400, and later scrapped altogether.

As Brophy noted, the government will be asked to approve a timeline providing for the return program being implemented over the next 12 months.

According to media reports, more than 125,000 Ukrainians have received temporary protection in Ireland since February 2022.

As reported earlier, the ceremonial opening of the first Ukrainian Unity Center in Europe took place in Berlin on April 14.

Photo: Facebook / Embassy of Ukraine to Ireland