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Ukraine War

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Questions (735, 775)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

735. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice her plans for persons arriving from Ukraine to have their documentation expedited in order for them to access social protection services and supports as soon as possible; and if her attention has been drawn to the potential waiting time for documents of between four to nine weeks. [13981/22]

View answer

Pa Daly

Question:

775. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 9 March 2022, when she envisions being able to offer permission letters at arrival points other than Dublin Airport. [14745/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 775 together.

The EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) has been activated in response to the Ukraine crisis. Ireland participates in this measure, which is given legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.Those eligible for Temporary Protection (granted initially for one year, but renewable) will have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as necessary. A whole-of-Government response is being mobilised to implement the practical arrangements to give effect to these commitments.

So far, approximately 90 per cent of Ukrainians who have entered the State have been welcomed at Dublin Airport. Beneficiaries are being provided with their permission letter on arrival at the airport in the 'one-stop-shop' established by my Department for that purpose, to ensure early access to all necessary supports. Approximately 5,800 temporary protection permissions have already been issued by my Department since the activation of the EU Directive.

Arrangements have also now been put in place to provide permission letters to those who arrived at Dublin Airport prior to 9 March (when permission letters started to issue) and to those who have arrived at other ports of entry to the State.

For people who are staying in State provided accommodation, staff from my Department are visiting these accommodation locations and will provide permission letters there.

Alternatively, permission letters can be obtained by visiting the Ukraine Support Centre in Cork Street, Dublin 8. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 5.00pm. On Saturdays, the centre is open from 9.15am to 3.00pm. There, people can also receive assistance from the Department of Social Protection to obtain PPSN numbers, social welfare income supports, and to receive referrals to other State services.

Arrangements are also being put in place that will allow people to obtain their permission letters from the Ukraine Support Centre in Hanover Street in Cork City and from the third Support Centre that will open shortly in Limerick. Further details on this will be announced shortly.

A centralised Government information portal is available at: www.gov.ie/ukraine, which is regularly updated.

My Department’s Irish Immigration website also contains a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, which can be viewed at:

www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-for-ukraine-nationals-and-residents-of-ukraine/.

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