Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Government says that it is cutting support to Ukrainian refugees to bring it in line with other EU countries but, of course, it is very difficult to make comparisons of temporary protection supports across the EU. That is, because, for instance, some countries have free public services and the cost of living is varied across different countries. Some provide both federal and local level supports. In addition to that, the Department of Justice stated that 30% of Ukrainian refugees have come here after having spent time in other EU countries.

Can the Taoiseach provide any detail about that 30% figure? How long are people spending in other EU countries before they arrive? Are they just passing through? Have they spent considerable time in EU countries? Is it potentially connection flights? Does the Taoiseach know what proportion of those people are travelling here to be reunited with family?

To sum it up, we want to have a debate which is based upon facts. Will the Taoiseach publish all of the data which the Government is basing this decision on and will he publish it today so that we have that information?

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