A new Irish plan would offer payments to encourage Ukrainians to return home. Details and timelines will be announced in the coming months.
The Government of Ireland is developing a special payment for Ukrainians returning home and, at the same time, is considering the possibility of ending the refugee accommodation programme, said Minister for Migration Colm Brophy.
The minister outlined plans to scrap government support for around 16,000 Ukrainians who arrived in the country at the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The government is also working on a return assistance package.
According to the minister, asylum recipients in Ireland will be eligible to receive financial assistance to return to their country of origin, ranging from €2,500 per person to €10,000 per family.
The government is also considering scrapping the Temporary Protection Directive or alternative options that restrict support for Ukrainian refugees, leaving it only for people from the most affected regions of Ukraine.
At the same time, payments to those hosting Ukrainians are planned to be reduced from €600 to €400, and eventually scrapped altogether.
It is expected that the government will be asked to approve the rollout schedule for the return programme within the next 12 months.
Context and Data
According to the broader context, since February 2022 more than 125,000 Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection in Ireland.
It also mentions the opening of the Centre for Ukrainian Unity in Europe, which took place on 14 April in Berlin.
Interim policy details are expected to be announced in the coming months, including how exactly the return package and support for hosting communities will operate.
However, it is important that the government’s actions are transparent and clear for Ukrainians living in Ireland and for local communities.