Tanaiste says accommodation limit for new Ukrainian arrivals ‘under discussion’
Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said no decision has been made on a measure to restrict the amount of time new arrivals from Ukraine can stay in State-provided accommodation, but added that the matter was still “under discussion”.
The latest data from the Central Statistics Office looking at the allocation of PPS numbers shows there were 96,338 arrivals from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive.
Of these, the CSO could identify that 82% had “activity in administrative data” after July 31.
Women and men, aged 20 and over, made up 46% and 22% respectively of arrivals to date, while 32% were people aged under 20.
Of all arrivals to date aged 18 and over, 63% of males and 50% of females were married or cohabiting.
Speaking to reporters at the Global Ireland Summit, Mr Martin said other countries have commented on “the strength of Ireland’s response in respect of the war in Ukraine”.
He added: “Ours has been predominantly on the political and humanitarian fronts, in terms of supporting Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and accepting refugees.”
However, the foreign affairs minister said the Government is examining evidence of “secondary transfers from across Europe rather than directly from Ukraine”.
Asked about the reported plan to restrict the time arrivals can stay in State accommodation, Mr Martin said: “That decision hasn’t been made, that’s still under discussion. There’s a wide variety of measures there to be discussed yet.”
He later added it “will not be too long” before a decision is made.
Asked where Ukrainian refugees would be able to go given existing pressures in the Irish rental system, the Tanaiste added: “These are issues being teased out.”
The Global Ireland Summit is a Department of Foreign Affairs event which gathers leaders from across the public service, business, and state agencies together with Ireland’s international diplomatic network and wider stakeholders from over 98 locations around the world.