Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1304. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Ireland since the conflict began up to 14 April 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20757/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As of 14 April 2022, a total of 23,205 people had arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and my Department had issued approximately 20,950 temporary protection permission letters.  

There is a coordinated whole-of-Government response to support people arriving in Ireland who have fled the violence in Ukraine. Government Departments and services are working together to implement Ireland's commitments under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), which has been activated for the first time to grant temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine.

My Department is primarily responsible for issuing temporary protection documents to those who are eligible. Those granted Temporary Protection have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as needed.

Beneficiaries are being provided with their permission letter on arrival at Dublin Airport in the 'one-stop-shop' established by my Department for that purpose, to ensure early access to all necessary supports. Arrangements have also been put in place to provide permission letters to those who arrived at Dublin Airport prior to 9 March (when permission letters started to issue) and to those who have arrived at other ports of entry to the State. Officials from my Department are on site to process temporary protection permission letters at Rosslare Europort on sailing days and in the Ukraine Support Centres established in Cork Street, Dublin 8 and in Limerick City. 

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.