Ireland has seen a rise in the number of young Ukrainian adults seeking temporary protection in recent weeks, reports RTE.
This comes after the Ukrainian government made a decision two months ago to permit men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country.
A large share of those now applying for temporary protection here are young individuals, both male and female, within that age range.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan this week asked the Government to take note of this recent uptick, reports RTE.
Figures from the Department of Justice show that 1,794 people were granted temporary protection in September — a 226% rise compared to the same month last year, when the figure stood at 794.
Currently, new arrivals are permitted to remain in designated accommodation centres for up to 90 days, after which they are expected to arrange their own housing, reports RTE.
However, some choose not to use this system and instead make independent living arrangements upon arrival.
Although demand for Ukrainian accommodation has declined steadily over the past year, the recent surge has led the State to expand its capacity in designated centres, according to the department, reports RTE.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Niall Collins said there was a notable increase in young Ukrainians last month, but it’s unclear whether they are visiting relatives, part of a new exodus, or simply travelling now that Ukraine has lifted its travel restrictions.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Colm Ó Mongáin, he noted that some Ukrainians are living in State-provided housing, while others are in private accommodation with State support, though overall numbers are decreasing, reports RTE.
Also speaking on the programme, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin said that peace efforts must be prioritised in Ukraine, saying it’s what young Ukrainians want, and urging the EU to shift its stance and stop “war mongering”.
Labour TD for Dublin South West, Ciarán Ahern, said that asylum seekers arriving in Ireland is simply a reality, and that the latest trend highlights the urgent need to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
