Legislation Over Ukraine Welfare Payment To Be Brought To Cabinet

The legislation regarding the Government's decision to reduce welfare payments for new arrivals from Ukraine, is to be brought before cabinet.

This legislation will be brought before the Cabinet by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, which is expected to be moved in the Dáil next week, and is set to be passed by the Oireachtas by the end of the month.

The legislation means that Ukrainians who arrive in Ireland over the coming weeks are to receive an expense allowance of €38.80 weekly, a decrease from €232 per week, the current jobseeker's rate.

New arrivals from Ukraine will receive training and skills, supporting them to seek employment. They will also be required to engage with the Department of Social Protection's Public Employment Service.

It was also ruled that people who arrive into this country from Ukraine, will be offered a place in state accommodation for 90 days, with a long-term  strategy regarding asylum accommodation expected to be brought before Cabinet in the coming weeks.

One option being considered is a proposal where people in public accommodation over a long period are asked to contribute towards the cost. 

It has been reported that almost 104,000 people from Ukraine have arrived in Ireland, since the outbreak of war with Russia. 

Elsewhere, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will outline to the Government that there has been a 11% decrease in patients waiting longer than 10-12 weeks for medical care last year.

Mr Donnelly is to tell the Dáil that the target to remove approximately 1.66 million patients from waiting lists, has been exceeded by 5%, with almost 1.74 million patients being removed. 

According to the minister, by the end of 2022, 57,000 fewer people had been waiting longer than the agreed Sláinecare targets.