UN's refugee agency calls Ukrainian welfare cuts 'drastic'

Under plans announced earlier this week, payments to Ukrainians living in State-provided serviced accommodation will be cut to €38.80 a week. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

The Government has been criticised by the UN’s refugee agency over plans to cut payments to Ukrainian refugees living in serviced accommodation.

Under plans announced earlier this week, payments to Ukrainians that live in State-provided serviced accommodation will be cut from €232 per week to just €38.80 a week.

While final figures have not yet been determined, it was estimated at Cabinet on Tuesday that 27,000 people will be impacted.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said that there needed to be a “consistency of approach” on welfare payments to Ukrainian refugees, as payments were cut for all new arrivals two months prior.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has said that it is concerned with the Government’s plan, describing the cuts in welfare as “drastic” and urging a reconsideration.

“[The agency] urges the Irish Government to carefully consider the scale of the proposed reductions, and to carry out a thorough review of their impact before implementing any changes,” the statement reads.

“Many of the almost 27,000 people estimated by Government to be living in such accommodation are vulnerable — including children, older people, women at particular risk, and people with disabilities.

“Some of those affected may be unable to work or to sustain themselves and depend on ongoing support from the Government.”

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees called on the Government to ensure that any people impacted by the cuts are “protected from any reductions that would have an adverse impact on them”.

It is also critical of the new payment level, which is the same as what international protection applicants receive, as it has not been increased by Government since 2019.