Ukrainian refugees are to have their welfare allowances cut within three months. A memo going to Cabinet today proposes that everyone under Temporary Protection will receive the same payment regardless of when they arrived in Ireland. There will be a 12 week lead in time to ensure notice is given to those affected. Taoiseach Simon Harris says this is about evaluating how the welfare and accommodation systems interact.
As many as 100,000 Ukrainian refugees would see their allowance reduced from €232 to €36.80. This is due to take place within the next three months to allow Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman to give notice to the people affected. According to the Cabinet memo, Justice Minister Helen McEntee will also soon give a report to the Government on the list of safe countries. She will also submit a review of visa-free travel for countries with high levels of refugees leaving. There are also plans for Mr O’Gorman to review entitlements of International Protection applicants.
