Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can advise the Deputy that Temporary Protection in Ireland applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia:

1. Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
2. Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;
3. Family members of persons covered by a) and b), where their family already existed in Ukraine, prior to 24 February.

Applicants must provide their identity documents and proof of residency in Ukraine prior to 24 February 2022 in order to meet the criteria for temporary protection. This proof can take many forms including; evidence of address, medical records, educational records, banking records etc.

Ukrainian nationals who do not meet the criteria set out above have no entitlement to temporary protection or to the benefits associated with that status, and are subject to the general immigration requirements applying to third country nationals.

I am advised that the person referred to was requested to contact the Immigration Service Registration Office but has not made any contact to date. The Department examines each application to remain in the State on a case-by-case basis and would advise this person to come forward if they wish to apply to regularise their immigration position in the State.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.