Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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311. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that all airlines operating flights into Ireland are informed of updated rules waving entry requirements for Ukrainian citizens thus ensuring that they are not refused entry to flights bound for Ireland. [12172/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On Friday the 25th of February I announced the immediate lifting of visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland. This will streamline and support the swift exit of both the Ukrainian family members of Irish citizens, and the family members of people from Ukraine who are resident in Ireland. It will apply as an emergency measure to all Ukrainians travelling to Ireland.

The Statutory Instrument removing the visa requirement for Ukraine nationals as an emergency measure takes immediate effect.

I can further confirm that given the urgent humanitarian nature of this measure, the Border Management Unit of my Department have communicated directly with all carriers flying into Dublin Airport, to make them aware of the lifting of the visa requirement for Ukrainian nationals.

Timatic (Travel Information Manual Automatic), which is also referred to as ‘IATA’ or ‘TIMS’, an organization which maintains a repository of various travel information, including the requirements for visas, referred to by airlines and ferry companies around the world, have also been advised of the recent changes by my Department and have confirmed that they have updated their system in this regard.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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312. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Ukrainian citizens who are resident in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12186/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I introduced the immediate lifting of visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland as an emergency measure which came into effect on 25 February.  This will streamline and support the swift exit of both the Ukrainian family members of Irish citizens, and the family members of people from Ukraine who are resident in Ireland. It will apply as an emergency measure to all Ukrainians travelling to Ireland and is a humanitarian response to the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine. 

Since I introduced the Visa waiver on Friday 25 February, a total of 143 Ukrainians have arrived in the state up to 28 February 2022. However, it should be noted that many of those who travelled were already resident in the State and had travelled back to the State for reasons other than escaping the conflict in Ukraine. The situation will be kept under review as events transpire.  

The best information available to my Department to answer the Deputy’s question is as follows:

The number of Ukrainian citizens registered with an immigration permission in Ireland as of February 2022 is 2,298. A further 4,272 Ukrainians have been naturalised since 2006.