Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Department of Justice and Equality

Ukraine War

Photo of Sorca ClarkeSorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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345. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the engagement her Department has had with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the refugees arriving here from Ukraine and the co-ordination of services, supports and resources which are presently being delivered in an ad-hoc manner by volunteers attempting to meet the needs of those fleeing the Russian invasion. [28549/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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. Over 33,000 people have now arrived seeking Temporary Protection. Those granted Temporary Protection have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as needed.

Until 23 May, beneficiaries were 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. While the ‘one-stop-shop’ facility has now moved its operations to the larger facility in Citywest, our support for people arriving from Ukraine remains.

Staff from the Border Management Unit of my Department staff continue to welcome and process new arrivals daily at Dublin Airport and other staff from my Department are onsite in Citywest to ensure that people receive their temporary protection permissions as quickly as possible. This is in addition to staff already operating from Rosslare Europort on sailing days and at the Ukraine Support Centres in Cork Street in Dublin and in Limerick City.     

Responsibility for the coordination of the work of volunteers and the community response to the Ukraine crisis primarily falls under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Deputy may wish to follow up directly with that Department in this regard.

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