Ukrainian refugees in Ireland - Megathread

thedart · 01-09-2022 9:23am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552403#Comment_119552403

That’s too much common sense for some to comprehend 🤣

Igotadose · 01-09-2022 9:23am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552403#Comment_119552403

O.K. so how much? 0%? 50%? Have you suggested this to your TD?

And how do you arrive at that number?

Patrick2010 · 01-09-2022 9:24am

You'd think our minister for justice would know the law...

"The minister, who lives in a remote area of Co Meath, north of Slane, said: “It is miles from anywhere. You can’t really walk anywhere.”

She pointed out that Ukrainian driving licences are not recognised here, other than in connection with holiday car hire."

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ukrainian-refugees-allowed-to-swap-driving-licence-for-irish-one-1.4859721

Fri Apr 22 2022 - 21:03

Ukrainian refugees in Ireland can now exchange their Ukrainian driving licence for an Irish driving licence, the Department of Transport has announced.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan signed an order on Friday that will allow Ukrainians temporarily resident in Ireland under the EU's Temporary Protection Directive to drive cars in Ireland, if they exchange their Ukrainian driving licence for an Irish one.

The new licence will be valid for 12 months and will apply to cars only.

Patrick2010 · 01-09-2022 9:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552414#Comment_119552414

Something like the have in France rather than the free money we supply on arrival?

https://visitukraine.today/blog/688/how-ukrainians-can-get-help-in-france-money-for-rent-and-child-support

How Ukrainians can get help in France: money for rent and child support

Help our volunteers who support Ukraine and all foreigners in the country 24/7

HELP

The French Family Assistance Fund (CAF) provides financial assistance to Ukrainian immigrants. Ukrainians living in France and who have obtained "temporary protection" can receive money for housing rent or children's education.

There are several types of financial assistance, payments can be provided for partial compensation of the cost of housing rent, or for the maintenance of minor children in large families.

Compensation for housing rent

CAF returns part of the money spent on rent to Ukrainian families renting housing in France. Housing subsidies can be received during the entire period of residence. Usually, the money is transferred directly to the homeowner, and the tenant pays the difference himself.

The amount of assistance depends on several factors:

• the cost of rent

• area and type of housing

• the number and age of people living there

• marital status

• wages of the tenant

You can calculate the approximate amount of the subsidy on the CAF website. You will be asked to provide information about your financial situation and rental housing.

The service will answer whether a person can count on financial assistance and in what amount. If so, you need to make an online request for assistance and create an account on the fund's website.

To fill out the profile, you should prepare the following documents:

• declaration of income of family members and payment of taxes for the last year

• rental certificates, family composition

• bank details

• a copy of the permit for temporary protection in France

Child support payments

Families with two or more children can also claim monthly financial assistance. CAF will cover the cost of education and maintenance of children under 20 years of age. These can be expenses for educational institutions, clothing, food, children's recreation, etc.

The amount of child support depends on the financial situation of the family, the number of children and their age. For example, for low-income parents, this amount per month is:

• 134 euros for two children,

• 307 euros for three children,

• 479 euros for four children,

• 172 euros for another child

You can calculate the amount of assistance in the Paje calculator. And you can apply for assistance online on the CAF website. The following documents are required for filling:

• bank account,

• a copy of temporary protection,

• a copy of the passport,

• copies of passports or birth certificates of children,

• declaration on the status of family benefits and housing allowance,

• income declaration for 2021

More information about the work of the Family Assistance Fund, as well as the possibility of receiving payments, can be found on the organization's website.

DaithiMa · 01-09-2022 9:31am

Can't believe what I'm reading regarding the nursing homes. This insanity has to stop. Where are they turfing the old folks out to? Students, tourism and now old people. Who will be the next sacrificial lambs?

Patrick2010 · 01-09-2022 9:31am

You can see why its much simpler to go to Ireland rather than France, no messy paperwork.

TaurenDruid · 01-09-2022 9:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552242#Comment_119552242

So the Ukrainian refugees are driving around without insurance, they aren't refugees, and in fact they're not even Ukrainian. Because you say so. Gotcha. 🙄

TaurenDruid · 01-09-2022 9:40am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552253#Comment_119552253

Ah, c'mon, drop this. People are entitled to retire and she brought it forward a month, not a year or two. Bit of a **** thing to do if she's leaving everyone in the lurch, but a population of 1800 makes the post office viable, at least, so someone else will likely take over.

01-09-2022 10:00am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552414#Comment_119552414

Refugees from every single country in the world bar Ukrainians receive €38 per week from the state as they have free board and meals. The government deem that an acceptable an amount for everyone else yet not for Ukrainians who get full whack every benefit along with free board and meals.

The question is how have the government arrived at that figure for Ukrainians exclusively. I doubt you’ll be contacting your TD about that.

thedart · 01-09-2022 10:09am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552500#Comment_119552500

Correct they are migrants.

is_that_so · 01-09-2022 10:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552616#Comment_119552616

That would be the EU Temporary Directive which we have long been signed up to. It's been in force for 20 years but was first activated by agreement of the EU Council in March this year.

Temporary protection is initially for one year. It automatically extends for 2 periods of 6 months after the first year, unless the EU Council votes to terminate the protection. After this, the EU Council can vote to extend it for a final year.

These are the basic requirements.

During the temporary protection period, EU member states must provide:

Access to suitable accommodation

Access to social welfare and medical care

Access to education for children under 18

The legal right to access employment

foxsake · 01-09-2022 10:20am

the government have lost all reason involving Ireland in a war in a far away place with no connection to Ireland. They are putting strain on all our resources while abandoning any duty of care to the Irish people in terms of economic hardship with the coming winter , housing even tourism (cos the hotels are full) .

and according to midlands radio - even our elderly are losing nursing homes cos it's more financially beneficial to house Ukrainians.

Sure we should help the Ukrainians but at what cost and why the rest of the world also ?

everybody else above the needs of Irish society , who incidentally are the ones actually paying for it

maninasia · 01-09-2022 10:23am

Arrive at a number much less than full dole obviously.

Capiche?

malinheader · 01-09-2022 10:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552216#Comment_119552216

Exactly but across the board.

Even for a lot of our own dole lifers. Sliding scale every year decreasing.

Sick and tired of hearing about treble bonuses and rising welfare payments. What about the workers, what bonuses and increase are we getting.

I'm working but there is alot on welfare better off than me. Has to stop.

Patrick2010 · 01-09-2022 10:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552680#Comment_119552680

That doesn't say we have to provide full dole.

is_that_so · 01-09-2022 10:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552777#Comment_119552777

It's what adults in this country get if they are on SW and it's far easier for a system to quickly use what's there than to create a completely new category, especially a temporary one. The PUP was the same, a straight up simple immediate payment, which was eventually followed by adjustments and better oversight.

Liath Luachra · 01-09-2022 10:54am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552519#Comment_119552519

It appears that those working in the postoffice have not been notified of the increased workload. I imagine any of us would appreciate simple courtesy of being informed should your workload increase to such an extent, with assurances of supports from the officials who sanction the placements.

Its one ballsup after another, Lisdoovarna is a seasonal town and relies heavily on the revenue from the matchmaking festival which was hit in preceding covid years. Who in their right mind thought it aa good idea to put refugees in the two hotels that are booked months in advance for the largest matchmaking festival in europe. All those who booked were informed their rooms no longer available and the festival has been scaled down considerably as a result. The lack of foresight and planning is shocking and is affecting both refugees and locals. In all, the whole situation has shone a huge bright light on how inept the government is. I cant imagine any official in the EU is impressed with the lack of inefficiency. if it was Leos et al. attempt to impress, its backfired immeasurably on them.

01-09-2022 11:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552680#Comment_119552680

The government hides behind the EU in scenarios like these as if they’re completely beholden to it and can’t do anything about it.

They ignore the EU when it suits them. Also last month they pulled out of the EU agreement that they were signed up to which allowed refugees who were already granted protection in various EU countries to rescind that to come to Ireland to claim protection instead. They removed that for every nation in the world except for Ukrainians. They could act if they really wanted to.

is_that_so · 01-09-2022 11:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552966#Comment_119552966

It's based on an EU law we signed up to in 2001. Do you have a link to that last bit because it doesn't sound like government action?

Boggles · 01-09-2022 11:09am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552966#Comment_119552966

You want the government to break Irish law?

I imagine most would consider that a slippery slope and not something to be encouraged.

Jim2007 · 01-09-2022 11:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119551546#Comment_119551546

I don't know a single other country in the EU that recognise a foreign license once you hold a resident's permit for that country. The Ukrainians hold limited permits for Ireland and consequently their licenses are not longer recognised. If you were to move to an EU state, you'd be required to swap your Irish license for a local one as well.

If you broaden your reading material, you'll find articles on how British expats are now running into problems with their UK driving licenses because the did not bother changing them when the moved to Spain etc. back in the day. In Spain may who did not do this have spent the summer unable to drive while the UK government try to negotiate a solution that does not require them to take a Spanish driving test.

Boggles · 01-09-2022 11:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552909#Comment_119552909

All those who booked were informed their rooms no longer available and the festival has been scaled down considerably as a result.

No it hasn't.

The vast vast majority of people who attend the festival stay or live in other towns and villages.

2 venues are not to be used this year but that has fúck all to do with Ukranians.

However, festival organisers said that live music events at the Marquee and Pavilion theatre will not be going ahead this year, due to rising operational costs.

Not a great first post on boards TBH, maybe do a bit of self fact checking going forward. 👍️

01-09-2022 11:21am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552983#Comment_119552983

They suspended it for 12 months and will review again then

visa free travel still available for Ukrainian nationals
Ireland to temporarily suspend operation of Council of Europe Agreement for 12 months
move to protect integrity of immigration and International Protection systems

The government has today agreed to a joint proposal from the Minster for Justice, Helen McEntee, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, for Ireland to avail of the option to temporarily suspend the operation of the Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees (Council of Europe) for a period of 12 months.

Speaking after Cabinet, Minister McEntee said:

“This is not a decision that the government has taken lightly. We are committed to upholding our international and EU obligations towards asylum seekers (international protection applicants) and refugees. However, where there is evidence that there may be abuse of such systems, the government must act swiftly to mitigate the risks to maintain the integrity of our immigration and international protection systems and uphold public confidence in those systems.

“In recent months, we have seen that the visa exemption provided for in the Council of Europe Agreement is being exploited, including by some who enter the State and subsequently claim international protection, despite having already been granted such protection by another European state.

“The suspension of the operation of the Agreement is temporary and will be reviewed in a year’s time. In the meantime, Convention travel document holders who want to travel to Ireland can apply for a visa under standard visa arrangements.”

Full article is here

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/government-agrees-to-temporarily-require-refugees-travelling-to-ireland-from-safe-european-countries-to-hold-visas/

surrender monkey · 01-09-2022 11:21am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119552253#Comment_119552253

I don't recall saying the lady in question was lazy. If I reading your post correctly what you are saying is that when your time comes to retire and draw your pension and your employer was busy you would have no problem staying on working indefinitely to help them out? Honestly I don't think you would ! She's done her time, perhapss she now wants to spend her golden years with her children and grand children. Surely she is entitled to that ?

01-09-2022 11:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553005#Comment_119553005

And what law would that be breaking? To reduce Ukrainians social welfare who have free board and food. They’re not Irish nor EU citizens. So please tell me specifically what irish law that would be breaking?

is_that_so · 01-09-2022 11:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553062#Comment_119553062

Yeah and part of that was refugees from other countries trying to move here from their first EU country, where they had already applied for protection. In other words, naked abuse of the Ukrainian situation.

01-09-2022 11:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553040#Comment_119553040

I think a local business man in the trade from there knows a bit more than yourself about the impacts but sure you know best..

“With next month's Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival set to be compromised by a lack of accommodation in the town - as has the current tourist season - Peter said it may become a concern if more suitable medium-term accommodation isn't found by next year.

'Places like Lisdoonvarna, unfortunately, are seasonal. I'd imagine if we were having this conversation a year from now and the hotels are still taken up by refugees - which is understandable, the Government has to put people somewhere - but definitely it would be another year without tourists in the town. That would put a strain on things obviously.'”

Not a great 33.990 post maybe do some fact checking first 👍🏻

Boggles · 01-09-2022 11:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553091#Comment_119553091

That's not what you said, you what them to pull out of the directive.

People who have been given international protection and refugee status are entitled to work therefore they are entitled to welfare.

It's no refugees fault that they are being housed in hotels where they have no access to cooking facilities.

It would appear your main objection is based on the fact they receive social welfare (we will ignore the 1000s that working), again imagine being jealous of a refugee.

Boggles · 01-09-2022 11:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553146#Comment_119553146

What about from the mouth of Big Willie?

Matchmaker Willie Daly predicts that this year’s festival will be one of the best in its long history.

“There is going to be a very, very big atmosphere in terms of fun. People are love-starved – they want to get out, and the men want to hold a woman in their arms,” he says.

“They want to dance and they want to laugh and have fun. That had been taken away from them in recent years.”

Willie said revellers will find accommodation in all the neighbouring towns and villages, as well as in Lisdoonvarna itself.

“There is plenty of accommodation all over,” he pointed out.

“People have always stayed in Doolin, Ennistymon and Lahinch when they came to the festival through the years.

“This is definitely going to be a very big year for the festival. Everyone is talking about it and people that live for it can’t wait for the fun to start.

Patrick2010 · 01-09-2022 11:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553039#Comment_119553039

Maybe you should broaden your reading material...