The Ukrainian Ambassador expressed her concern that the lowering of welfare payments for people residing in housing provided by the State may drive vulnerable citizens to return home, reports RTE.
Ministers approved the measure yesterday, which will result in lower payments to some 27,000 Ukrainian migrants who are granted temporary protection within three months.
Layrsa Gerasko expressed her worries specifically regarding the effects that the government plans will have on the elderly, expectant women, and individuals with special needs, reports RTE.
She said that finding employment was extremely difficult for these migrants and that they would not be able to make ends meet and remain here if they were only paid €38.80 a week.
The lower payments are intended for unemployed Ukrainians residing in “state-provided serviced accommodation,” which includes hotels that offer meals, reports RTE.
The government cut payments to new immigrants in December of last year; starting in March, the payment was decreased from €232 to €38.80 per week. This lower payment will now be the standard for all Ukrainians in similar situations.
Speaking this afternoon in County Galway, Ms. Gerasko stated that she was hoping to meet with government officials in order to have further clarification over how the plans will be carried out, reports RTE.
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