Ukrainian refugees in Ireland - Megathread

Story covered on live line today, women called in, Took a young Ukranian lady in who got separated from her family and arrived here

So the Ukrainian Lady is under 25 , started English lessons and hopefully will obtain work soon.

The Department of Social protection wrote to the Girl , they have now reviewed her SWA Payment arranged for her on arrival and under the eligibility criteria as she is under 25 and "Not Living independently " she is only entitled to just over €100 PW. In addition to this charming letter, the Girls Medical card has still not been processed. She was in receipt of €206 pw.

Just to be clear, if an under 25 is living at home, it is correct their rate would be less than €208 JSA, this of course applies to a normal situation, this is certainly not a normal situation and the department know it.

Now the lady was invited to appeal (little of no english).

So the Host took charge and proceeded to get the Run around.

I'm just trying to comprehend if this girl was in a Hostel, Guest house, sporting hall what would would she have done, would she even know about this review. The department have said, the decision stands. The Host is not a landlord and therfore technically the Refugee is not living independently.

Beggars belief really, all we hear about is the extraordinary efforts government departments putting into this crisis, Ministers turning up for photo OP's greeting refugees at Dublin Airport. I have to assume this lady is not the first nor last to have the SW Assistance cut in half . I'm doubting Heather Humphries will be appearing at any new photo OP'S.

Those on here thinking HAP and other state benefits are going to lashed out might now take time to reflect.

Absolute Farce.

I've seen your rather narrow minded views and won't be debating this with you, but I'm seem to recall you thinking life is a bed of roses , it is not I'm afraid. Your clearly and again missing the point .

If host charges her rent then she will be living independently. She will be renting a room in a house

I've made no comment about discrimination apart of course about those in Direct provision in previous posts.

The purpose of sharing the story is really quite simple to comprehend.

There's been this extraordinary narrative banded about on this Thread about all the wonderful supports being afforded, Medical Cards, HAP will be lashed out, indeed supports will be offered to hosts etc and yet, here we are.

SWA Awarded then halved

Medical Card still not processed

Refugee (Clearly not living independently) and loosing partial benefit because of the Kindness of Host.

Communicatiing in writing, in English to a still traumatised Refugee and then suggesting they appeal.

What if the girl was in a Hostel, no fixed abode, how are the department communicating these decisions to others and you can be sure others affected.

I'll leave it at that.

O yes of course thats such an easy remedy, I suppose you'll next suggest the girl can put in a claim for HAP 🙄

There's been this extraordinary narrative banded about on this Thread about all the wonderful supports being afforded, Medical Cards, HAP will be lashed out, indeed supports will be offered to hosts etc and yet, here we are.

TBF I think there is a majority consensus on the thread that government and it's agencies will fumble and fúck it up as is their default position.

half of rooms offered have been withdrawn or are uncontactable

That makes no sense and smells fairly off.

It states 24,000 people have pledged, 12,000 are uncontactable or have removed their pledge.

Then it goes onto state.

It is estimated that just over half of all those who have pledged accommodation have received a call, with an expectation all pledges will be contacted by the end of this week.

Those maths make no sense.

Given the stories on here and from what I am hearing, they need help or it needs to be taken off them pronto.

She’s in the same unfair position as plenty of Irish young people find themselves in - kicked out of home and living with a friends family, they’ll be assessed for the same amount. Maybe she can get a job for less than minimum wage, like we pay our under 20’s.

Denmark were doing it though.

The biggest issue is they Ukrainians are flying in there thousands and in a lot of other cases random Joe's and wannabe charities are bringing people in themselves but dumping them on the likes of redcross or others to deal with ,

They should be held in camps across Europe until this can be organized better , rather than flowing all over Europe ,UK and here with nothing being available for them

Where is the tangible evidence that wannabe charities are just dumping refugees after getting them in?

I know of one "mission" that went to Poland and brought back 70-100, they were all sorted with homes before they left Poland.

Roughly 20% of the refugees arriving here have accommodation sorted before they land.

Could you link to these numerous reports?