Taoiseach to raise plans to slash allowances for Ukrainians with Social Protection Minister
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he would raise Government plans to reduce the baseline rate of pay from €232 a week to €38.80 for Ukrainian refugees living in State accommodation with the Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.
It follows an open letter that was handed in to the Taoiseach’s Constituency Office in Bray in May, with testimonies from dozens of vulnerable Ukrainians living in centres in the town, who fear they will be unable to survive on the €38.80 per week payment proposed by the Government on foot of a review into allowances.
In May, the Government signed off on the plan to cut payments to Ukrainians in 'State-provided serviced accommodation', such as a hotel where meals are provided, with the reduction to take effect within three months.
It means Ukrainian refugees who fled to Ireland between 2022 and early 2024 will have their allowances cut from the job seekers’ rate of €232 to a lower rate in the next few weeks.
A reduced payment of €38.80 per week had already been applied to Ukrainians who arrived after an earlier change of policy in mid-March, but those who entered the country before that deadline remained on the higher amount.
However, the Taoiseach said plans to make the rate the same for all Ukrainians receiving international protection, regardless of when they arrived, was “fair” and was in response to a “growing number of people seeking protection in Ireland”.
In a letter handed into Simon Harris’s Bray office on Friday, May 31, some 38 Ukrainians living in State accommodation in the town gave individual testimonies of their situation – some have disabilities and chronic illness such as motor neuron disease, others have children who require special needs – and outlined in detail what the effects of a cut to their allowance will mean.
The letter, presented by resident Jim Feely, who is involved with a local church attended by many Ukrainians, thanked the Government “for their generosity”, but highlighted “the anxiety” over the pending cuts to their allowances.
"I agree with the sentiments of the Government that eligible and able-bodied people, male and female, should look for some form of employment to support themselves in their stay in Ireland. My/Our concern is for the vulnerable people in this community,” it said, referring to the elderly, single parents and those with disabilities, adding that “these are categories that warrant careful attention, to ensure that they not being unfairly treated, and at a major loss, by the imposition of these reductions”.
In correspondence sent to Mr Feely from The Office of The Taoiseach, on June 14, he is assured the issue would be raised with the Social Protection Minister “and the Taoiseach will be in touch with you when he has some further news on the matter”.
The terse response has prompted Mr Feely to ask “how long will it take the Department of Social Protection to give an appropriate and speedy response for the more vulnerable in the Ukrainian community?”.
“A comprehensive and detailed solution should be drafted taking into account the severity of individual cases,” he said. “The categories of elderly/pensioners, single parents, those on children's allowance, people with disabilities and college students should have clear guidelines outlining special support to meet their needs as they reside under our protection in this State.
“I do hope that the Government will not drag their feet on this issue but will address their plight as quickly as possible,” he added.
As of the end of April 2024, there were 1726 Ukrainian Displaced Persons in emergency type accommodation in Wicklow, although it is known that there are significantly more in the county. The breakdown of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection is as follows:
• Arklow MD: 223
• Baltinglass MD: 360
• Bray MD: 767
• Greystones MD: 179
• Wicklow MD: 197
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