EU country considers limiting accommodations for Ukrainians, reports media
Ireland is contemplating discontinuing the provision of free accommodations for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees after next March, according to the Irish Times. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Irish Times has reported that the Irish government is contemplating the termination of its free accommodation program for Ukrainian asylum seekers starting in March 2025. According to the newspaper, officials in Dublin are also considering the implementation of a “maximum stay” rule, aimed at encouraging refugees currently living in publicly funded accommodations to become more self-sufficient.
In recent months, several EU member states have begun to reduce welfare programs for Ukrainian refugees, encouraging them to seek employment or return to Ukraine. Amidst ongoing mobilization efforts, the Ukrainian government has urged European nations to cut financial support for its citizens abroad, aiming to prompt draft-eligible men to come back home.
The Irish Times noted in its article on Wednesday that the proposed cessation of the free accommodation program could be enacted as early as March. Among the various “policy levers” being discussed by officials is a measure that would automatically end free housing for Ukrainians whose income exceeds a specific threshold.
These discussions are taking place among “senior officials,” but the newspaper highlighted that such measures “have not yet been widely circulated among Ministers” or members of the Cabinet committee on Ukraine responsible for overseeing the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees.
Current statistics from the Department of Integration indicate that there are 35,833 Ukrainian asylum seekers living in state-provided housing.
In May, Irish authorities limited welfare handouts and restricted state-funded accommodation for newcomers to 90 days instead of allowing indefinite residency.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys explained earlier this year that the previous welfare arrangements were “not sustainable in the long run.” She also emphasized the government’s position, stating they did not “want this country to be more attractive than any of our other European countries.”
Similarly, in August, Hungary declared that refugees from Ukrainian areas deemed safe would no longer qualify for free accommodation, with some exceptions for vulnerable groups.
Additionally, the EU’s statistics bureau Eurostat reported last month that in Germany, approximately 236,925 Ukrainian refugees had lost their temporary protection status in just one month. This status, instituted by the European Council, provides asylum seekers from Ukraine with an extended visa-free stay, along with access to free accommodation, medical care, and education.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
In recent months, several EU member states have begun to reduce welfare programs for Ukrainian refugees, encouraging them to seek employment or return to Ukraine. Amidst ongoing mobilization efforts, the Ukrainian government has urged European nations to cut financial support for its citizens abroad, aiming to prompt draft-eligible men to come back home.
The Irish Times noted in its article on Wednesday that the proposed cessation of the free accommodation program could be enacted as early as March. Among the various “policy levers” being discussed by officials is a measure that would automatically end free housing for Ukrainians whose income exceeds a specific threshold.
These discussions are taking place among “senior officials,” but the newspaper highlighted that such measures “have not yet been widely circulated among Ministers” or members of the Cabinet committee on Ukraine responsible for overseeing the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees.
Current statistics from the Department of Integration indicate that there are 35,833 Ukrainian asylum seekers living in state-provided housing.
In May, Irish authorities limited welfare handouts and restricted state-funded accommodation for newcomers to 90 days instead of allowing indefinite residency.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys explained earlier this year that the previous welfare arrangements were “not sustainable in the long run.” She also emphasized the government’s position, stating they did not “want this country to be more attractive than any of our other European countries.”
Similarly, in August, Hungary declared that refugees from Ukrainian areas deemed safe would no longer qualify for free accommodation, with some exceptions for vulnerable groups.
Additionally, the EU’s statistics bureau Eurostat reported last month that in Germany, approximately 236,925 Ukrainian refugees had lost their temporary protection status in just one month. This status, instituted by the European Council, provides asylum seekers from Ukraine with an extended visa-free stay, along with access to free accommodation, medical care, and education.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
