The European Council decided on 4 March to activate the Temporary Protection Directive.
This European law was originally passed up in the aftermath of the Yugoslav war and was designed to be used in the event of a “mass influx or imminent mass influx” of people coming into the EU. It aims to offer immediate help to large groups of people by granting a form of collective protection status. This is the first time the Directive has been activated.
Who can avail of Temporary Protection?
The following people who have fled Ukraine, can avail of a temporary protection to reside in Ireland:
a) Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
b) Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or stateless persons who benefited from international protection (e.g. refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022,
c) Family members of persons covered by a) and b) where the family already existed in Ukraine prior to 24 February.
Those family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit.
d) Stateless persons and nationals of countries other than Ukraine who have been residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 with a permanent Ukrainian residence permit, who cannot safely return to their country of origin.
Nationals of countries other than Ukraine who were legally residing in Ukraine without a permanent residence permit are not eligible for temporary protection. Such persons will be assisted to return to their country of origin, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), if it is safe for them to do so. Alternatively, if it is not safe to return to their country of origin they may apply for international protection in Ireland.
Temporary Protection for Ukrainian nationals in Ireland before 24 February 2022
Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Ireland on a short stay ‘C’ type visa will also be able to avail of Temporary Protection. They can apply for this permission by visiting one of the centres in Dublin (Citywest Convention Centre, Saggart, Co. Dublin, D24 A38Y, in Cork (Cork City PSC and PPSN Centre, Department of Social Protection, Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62) or in Limerick (the Limerick Intreo Centre, Dominic Street, V94 X327). It is not necessary to make an appointment.
Additionally, Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Ireland on another immigration permission or stamp, for example as a student or as someone with an employment permit, will remain on that permission/stamp until it expires or falls due for renewal. At that point, they may decide whether to further extend or renew the existing permission or to avail of Temporary Protection for the remainder of the period for which it is available as determined by the EU Council.
How long does temporary protection last?
The temporary protection permission allows beneficiaries to reside in Ireland for a period of 1 year, and the permission may be extended for further periods after that. The implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive for those fleeing Ukraine has been extended till March 2025.
More information on the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive is available here.
What rights and entitlements do I have with Temporary Protection?
People who are granted Temporary Protection have access to various rights and entitlements.
Beneficiaries of temporary protection will have access to,
- A Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)
- Employment and self-employment
- Suitable accommodation* or assistance in obtaining housing
- School if they are children under 18 years
- Social welfare income supports
- Ukrainian nationals will be able to get health care services from the HSE including access to GPs, community care and hospital or emergency care, as well as access to services for children’s health, mental health, disabilities, maternity care, older people and many more. Ukrainian nationals will be able to get the same health services as people who are already living here, including Irish citizens. Please see information here or at the bottom of this page.
Information on accessing these supports is available here:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-for-ukraine-nationals-and-residents-of-ukraine
Please see information on state-provided accommodation, including policies on absences and refusals, here.
The Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) represents over 180,000 workers from many categories of employment across the Irish economy. SIPTU has produced a ‘Know Your Rights at Work in Ireland’ guide in Ukrainian. This guide provides refugees with a basic introduction to their rights and entitlements at work and advice on how to get advice and representation if required. You can find the Ukrainian booklet here and English booklet here.
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