Concern for women and children as social welfare for Ukrainians is slashed to €38

Concern for women and children has been expressed as social welfare for Ukrainian refugees is due to be slashed to €38. 

It comes following Government agreement to cut financial support for Ukrainian refugees in receipt of state accommodation.  

The changes mean anyone from Ukraine seeking international protection would be guaranteed state accommodation for 90 days only, and during this period arrivals will be paid €38.80 allowance rater than the full rate of Jobseekers Allowance (€220 per week) currently in place. 

Some political groups including Sinn Féin welcomed the upcoming changes, however others including People Before Profit and Labour have expressed concern. 

Labour TD Ged Nash spoke outside Leinster House earlir today (December 12) and said he'd be "very interested" to know why a gradual reassessment of social welfare rates is not being considered. 

He said a dramatic fall "on a drop dead date" is going to create "considerable difficulties". 

According to journalist Louise Burne, Deputy Nash also expressed concerns about women and children, who he worries are most vulnerable. 

In a post published on X earlier today (December 12), Burne also reported that Independent TD Richard O'Donoghue disrupted the Labour plinth "rather bizarrely".

According to Burne, Deputy O'Donoghue reportedly drove into Leinster House on "a very loud bike", which caused the plinth to stop due to the noise. 

She stated: "Labour not impressed whatsoever." 

She also reported Deputy Nash said, "Clown" in response to the disruption.

Labour’s @geraldnash criticises Govt plan to cut supports for Ukrainian refugees

He expresses concerns about women and children, who he worries are most vulnerable pic.twitter.com/zYjtv0mKSE

— Louise Burne (@louiseburne_) December 12, 2023

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Social Protection, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, welcomed the proposed changes to Ukrainian refugees' welfare entitlements, but has called for clarity on accommodation. 

He stated the current proposal flies in the face of assurances that Ukrainian refugees would not be accommodated in the private rental sector. 

Deputy Ó Laoghaire said, "It has been clear for some time that the number of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland is placing massive pressure on the system, and we agree with the government that welfare payments should be brought down in line with the payments made to international protection applicants.

"There needs to be a more uniform approach across the EU regarding what is provided in each State so that there isn’t secondary movement from other States."

He continued: "We also need to be preparing for what happens over the next year as the temporary protection measures regarding Ukraine come to an end. 

"We are very concerned that the government is now proposing that those in need of temporary accommodation will be left to rely on the private rental sector. That will not work. Government should not confuse temporary accommodation with long-term housing. They must set out clearly what their proposal is and how they think it can work."