Ukrainian refugees in Ireland - Megathread

The most worrying part of this post is how the guests reluctantly agreed to help out with the utility bills.

Like wtf, they're getting €200 per adult and children's allowance and they expect to live for free in someone's house? I wouldn't leave my teen for a sleepover in a friend's house without sending along some biscuits or whatever. Are they not being told that they need to pay their way and contribute to the household they are living in?

While it's a comment on the journal, I've already seen it mentioned in other media too , not the same article but the jist is the same, how families are expecting free bed and board but taking welfare. As usual, it seems we just shovel out money like it's going out of fashion.

How are other eu member states managing this situation, are all refugees getting welfare in every other country?

It's always in the wording with these guys in power "Up to €400" so maybe you only get the maximum if you hand over a vacant house etc... or 30 a week if you only take in one person into your own dwelling house. I just hope whatever happens that vulnerable people don't get taken advantage of like we have seen in the past with the student accommodation where people are squeezed into small bedsits etc. so someone can make a quick few euros.

The kites are always flown first to gauge our response

What other media?

RE the EU, yes.

Denmark are the only country not bound by it so they passed a special law.

Arrangement Temporary for 12 months, Ukranian driving licence can now be exchanged for a irish one., not sure how they'll revert back to a Ukrainian one, not aware if Ukraine is part of a recognised licence exchange program.

Insurance companies, I presume will be entirely flexible regarding this arrangement 🤔

I would make a massive distinction between someone from the frontline areas like Mariupol etc and those far far away (Ukraine us bigger than France) from the real conflict along the polish or Hungarian or Romanian borders.

The problem is the system can’t distinguish those in REAL need vs the chancers of which I’m sorry to say I’ve no doubt exist. Salaries and standards of living are vastly different in a country like Ireland vs Ukraine and it would be foolish to believe this isn’t a pull factor for some, leaving aside the most desperate and needy whom we absolutely must support.

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For sure and it may not even be true.

For me, I just think it's symptomatic of how difficult it is to have strangers in your home. It's simply a non-runner for most people. Hats off to those who make it work. Not something I could do personally.

Good few going back to Ukraine now it seems

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/04/21/ukrainians-return-home-despite-war-mclean-dnt-lead-vpx.cnn

There is an admirable naivety about Irish people that is very endearing but ripe for exploitation in the tough world we live in.

There does need to be a distinction now made between those most in need (actual refugees from the conflict zones) and those hundreds and hundreds of Kms away. That way very scarce and precious resources can be put to the best use and not wasted on Piss takers here for a free holiday and a savings bonanza. This would need some level of coordination with the Ukrainian authorities themselves I believe to prioritise those most in in need.

I’d say those that can get out more easily are far less likely to actually need to. Would be an epic trek across from the east and south eastern front than hopping across near Lviv or south of there.

The war has been ongoing now for over two months. The pattern is now fairly clear. The Ukrainians also need to help us here as we don’t have unlimited resources so it’s far better what we can give us more targeted to the right people. It doesn' t make any sense to give people from unaffected areas the kind of generosity we are currently and is undermining those that really need it. Above all its not sustainable

Honestly, this is one the characteristics that annoys me about some Irish people. The inane longing to be liked and be seen to be a ‘good skin’ by the international community. It’s a very adolescent emotion and a manifestation of low self-esteem. Other nations couldn’t give a f**k how they are perceived internationally. I’m referring to nations like Denmark, who have a ruling class that appears to be invested in doing the right thing for their own electorate.

The irony is that Irish people are generally deeply conformist. They invariably snap to the prevailing orthodoxy and can be incredibly dismissive of and borderline cruel to fellow Irish people with a different mindset or perspective. This also means that the positive attitudes displayed towards our new Ukrainian population could change very quickly, if people feel that their quality of life is adversely impacted and/or some of the Ukrainians prove not to be angels, as will inevitably be the case. Frankly, this could well turn into a total s**t storm.