Ukrainians are fleeing to Ireland because it is “as far as you can go from Russia” in Europe – not because of the supports on offer here, according to a Ukrainian MP.
Cabinet will today sign off on a plan to cut the supports on offer to Ukrainian refugees fleeing to Ireland.
The plan will see Ukrainians offered just 90 days State accommodation after they arrive here.
Meanwhile, their social welfare will be cut from €220 to €38.80 while they are living in State accommodation.
After the 90 days, their social welfare will revert to the higher rate while they search for a place to live.
The Irish Red Cross has criticised the changes, accusing the Government of using a "sledgehammer" to deal with a delicate situation.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee yesterday said the changes were needed to ensure there was no ‘pull factor’ encouraging Ukrainians to choose Ireland over other countries.
Ukraine MP Kira Rudik talking to Newstalk. Picture by: NewstalkOn Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik said her people were choosing Ireland because of the safety on offer here – not the benefits.
“I can tell you it's usually women with children who are not looking for like some financial support, but they're looking for the safest and the best place for their kids and you cannot blame them for that,” she said.
“If they're going from one country to another, it's because they're looking for the better education and the safer place.
“Honestly, Ireland is the place where people are going because it is as far as you can go from Russia; it's like the furthest place you can run with your family.”
"Secondary transfers"
Government originally floated plans to change the welfare system for Ukrainian refugees after Tánaiste Micheál Martin said officials were examining the issue of “secondary transfers” – with people arriving in Ireland from other EU countries rather than directly from Ukraine.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar then told the Dáil that there is a limit on Ireland’s capacity to support refugees and asylum seekers, adding, “we’re very much at that currently”.
Ms Rudik said Ukraine will never forget the support shown by Ireland and other countries but said she wanted to remind everyone that “the war is not over”.
“We are facing the second winter of the full-scale invasion where it is incredibly tough for people and many of them may make a decision to leave the country and to find a shelter and a new home elsewhere,” she said.
“Of course we want to encourage every single government to support our people because again, it's not a matter that we wanted this war, but it just happened to us and people are not looking to move to another country just because they want a better life.
“They want to physically survive.”
Russian assets
She said she understands the pressure the Government is facing and called on all Governments to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
“As of right now in democratic countries there is $500 billion (€463.5bn) of Russian assets that are being frozen and not being used,” she said.
“We are calling for the countries, including Ireland, to look into the political will and legal solutions of using that money to support our refugees, to cover for the special programmes on Ukraine and to make sure that supporting freedom and democracy is not a burden for the people.”
"The war is not over"
Ms Rudik said Ukrainian people do not feel forgotten – but it has become much harder to encourage nations to make good on the promises of support they have already made.
“I want to thank each and every person who opened their home for our people and allowed them to survive and allow them to feel welcome,” she said.
“For themselves and their children, thank you so much, we will never forget this; what you are doing is generational – but the war is not over.”
Cabinet is expected to approve the changes this morning with a formal announcement this afternoon.
Main image shows a child on an evacuation bus in Kyiv at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 07-03-2022. Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/SOPA Images/Alamy
