Cuts to welfare payments for Ukrainians in State-funded accommodation were not “properly thought through”, an NGO working in the sector has said.
The criticism comes after it emerged that the Government is paying top-ups to thousands of Ukrainians in hotels and other serviced accommodation after reduced social welfare payments meant they could not meet the cost of food agreed under pre-existing deals with providers.
“They’re only working through what all those unintended consequences are because they’re imposing something that wasn’t properly thought through,” said Emma Lane-Spollen, national co-ordinator of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum.
Ms Lane-Spollen said she was aware of situations where the welfare cuts had left people struggling to afford specialised food requirements, transport and other necessities. “It’s evident that the politicians who made the decision were not aware people were already contributing for food, for laundry, for all other expenses.”
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The Government agreed in May to reduce welfare payments to all Ukrainians in serviced accommodation to €38.80 per week for an adult and €29.80 for a child.
However, the Department of Integration confirmed that where Ukrainians are making a contribution towards the cost of their meals, they receive a supplement to defray the costs of €70 per adult and €35 per child.
Ms Lane-Spollen called for amendments to be made which would allow for “more flexibility in the system, because we want a more humane approach”.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris backed away from policy options being developed by officials which could see Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion not being offered accommodation after they arrive in Ireland.
The options, first reported in The Irish Times this week, were developed by senior officials over the summer and also included a potential “maximum stay” rule aimed at Ukrainians living in State housing for long periods and ending accommodation for those who earn above a certain threshold.
Speaking in Washington, DC in advance of a meeting with US president Joe Biden, Mr Harris told reporters that he was not being critical of the officials and it was right that issues be kept under review.
“I read those proposals this morning and it is true that these things get discussed,” he said, but added that Ireland was at “the outer limits” of what it could do in terms of scaling back the offering for Ukrainians.
He said the proposals have not yet come to Cabinet, “but I am not convinced, quite frankly ... I think we have done quite a lot in the Ukrainian space already that has been sensible and fair and justifiable but I don’t think there is space to do much more.”
He said the Government was more focused on revising measures for those applying for international protection, including the potential introduction of a contribution charge for asylum seekers.
On the issue of top-up payments, a Department of Integration spokesman said the Government had agreed to bring “equivalence of treatment” to Ukrainians arriving before and after March 14th who are living in State-provided accommodation where meals and utilities are provided. He said that as of earlier this month, standard social assistance payments are no longer available to people living in State accommodation centres.
[ Thousands of Ukrainian refugees to have welfare allowances cut from SeptemberOpens in new window ]
“Residents continue to have access to accommodation, healthcare and education, if needed. Those who are paying a contribution towards their meals will have this amount included in their new payment. Other expenses, including laundry, will have to be met from the weekly payment.
“At all times, the department is conscious of the need to adopt a humane approach to the provision of accommodation, while taking account of the need for a consistent, sustainable and cost-effective accommodation system.”
The spokesman added that Ukrainians are free to make their own private arrangements for accommodation and will then be entitled to apply for standard social welfare payments.
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