Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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356. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the response of her Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13727/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On 25 February, as an immediate response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I announced the lifting of visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens travelling to Ireland. This has streamlined and supported 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 applies as an emergency measure to all Ukrainians travelling to Ireland.

Immigration authorities have requested carriers not to refuse boarding to anyone fleeing Ukraine if they have concerns about documentation without first contacting immigration authorities in Ireland.

I attended an extraordinary meeting of Interior/Home Affairs Ministers on 27 February 2022, which was called to discuss the escalating situation in Ukraine, and at a further meeting on 3 and 4 March, it was agreed to activate the EU Temporary Protection Directive to grant temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine.

The Directive has been given legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.

Those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will generally be eligible for this temporary protection, initially for one year and on a renewable basis. It will provide beneficiaries with immediate access to the labour market, along with access to social welfare, accommodation and other State supports. 

A whole-of-Government response is being mobilised to implement the practical arrangements to give effect to these commitments. 

Beneficiaries will be provided with their permission letter on arrival in the State to ensure early access to all necessary supports. My Department has now put a system in place to issue them for people arriving into Dublin Airport, and arrangements will be put in place as soon as possible to provide letters to those who arrived in recent days. 

Arrangements for the registration of the permission will be put in place in due course.   All necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the process is as simple and stress-free as possible. 

I can assure the Deputy that my Government colleagues and I will continue to work with our EU counterparts on any further EU-wide measures that might be needed to assist those fleeing Ukraine.