A decision to reduce social welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees living in Ireland was made in the name of ‘consistency,’ according to the Taoiseach.

Cabinet has today agreed to reduce the allowance of anyone who fled to Ireland between 2022 and 2024 from €232 per week to €38.80.

Until now, those who arrived before March of this year got jobseeker’s allowance and unlimited State accommodation.

The change in social welfare entitlements will affect tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland when it’s implemented in the coming months.

'Financially stable'

Taoiseach Simon Harris said it means everyone will now be treated equally.

“It doesn’t seem sensible to me that you could have two children from Ukraine in the same school today and a very different system of treatment,” he said.

“We need to make sure the system is financially stable.

“We also need to look at how we help people who are here get into the world of work where we have significant gaps in our workforce and how we have a consistent approach in terms of welfare so families aren’t treated very different to one another.”

Asylum seekers in tents at Grand Canal, 10/05/2024. Image: John Keogh

Meanwhile, over 40 tents have appeared along the Grand Canal as the State struggles to house International Protection applicants.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman and Justice Minister Helen McEntee need to address the Dáil on the matter.

“This is utterly scandalous,” she said.

“On the one hand, the State distributes tents, pays money to distribute tents to these vulnerable people and then, at the far end, commits money to have these tents removed only for more tents to appear.”

'A sort of Rwanda policy'

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said her party has lost confidence in the Government’s ability to handle the situation.

“The tents approach, this failure resulting in so many tents, amounts to a sort of Rwanda policy for the Irish Government.

“They are leaving people sleeping in tents and it is almost as if they’re seeking to send out a signal to those who may be coming to Ireland to claim refuge

“That’s a really serious concern of ours.”

There are currently over 30,000 asylum seekers living in Ireland.

Main image: Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking to the media at Government Buildings, 25-9-20. Image: Julien Behal Photography / RollingNews.ie