Varadkar confirms welfare rate cuts and accommodation limits for Ukrainians from end-January

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said while Ukrainians remain welcome in Ireland, the Government needed to bring its offering more into line with other EU member states.

Cuts to welfare rates and time limits on stays in State accommodation for Ukrainian refugees will come into effect in late January, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

In the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Varadkar confirmed Cabinet had signed off on proposals to cut Ukrainian refugee welfare rates from €220 a week to €38.80 a week, while they are staying in State accommodation. Ukrainian refugees with children will also be entitled to €29.80 per child, per week.

The proposals will require legislation to enact the changes, with plans to introduce the bill in early January.

The Taoiseach also confirmed new arrivals from Ukraine would only be permitted to access State-provided accommodation for 90 days, after which they must find their own accommodation.

He said while Ukrainians remain welcome in Ireland, the Government needed to bring its offering more into line with other EU member states.

However, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald questioned where Ukrainian refugees would be housed for the initial 90 days, and then after this period.

“Taoiseach, what you haven’t set out for us is the plan for temporary accommodation for Ukrainian people coming, where will they be, where will they stay for the 90 days and then crucially, where do they go after 90 days?” Ms McDonald asked.

In particular, the Sinn Féin leader questioned if they would be expected to go into the private rented sector, which she described as being at “breaking point”.

“We are confident that we will be able to provide that State accommodation for those 90 initial days to get people coming from Ukraine a chance to establish themselves and a chance to find their own accommodation, own employment. Whatever they can manage to do,” Mr Varadkar said in response.

He said people who move into State accommodation do not always stay there, citing those who leave for their own private accommodation, pledged accommodation or elsewhere in the EU.

Once Ukrainian refugees leave State accommodation, they will be entitled to claim a higher rate of welfare payment if they qualify.

Children will be permitted to enrol in schools and will be bussed to school if they are forced to move.