Department of Social Protection supports for those arriving from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive
Update as at: 8th July 2022
Welcome to our fifth newsletter, we hope you find it of assistance.
In this edition the focus is on:
For information on topics covered in previous editions please see page 4
Introduction
The European Union has put in place a temporary protection Directive to allow Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Ukraine access to a wide range of supports including social welfare income supports. The Department of Social Protection is providing support and services to assist people covered by this Directive who are fleeing Ukraine and who arrive in Ireland.
The Department has published information on gov.ie in both Ukrainian and Russian and interpretive services are available in all our Reception Centres and Offices.
Current Numbers
PPSNs have been issued to some 41,861 people as at close of business 3 rd July 2022.
Income Supports:
For more information on income supports please visit Gov.ie/dsp/Ukraine
How can students with Temporary Protection access higher education in Ireland?
A National Student and Researcher (NSR) Helpdesk was established on 4 May 2022. Displaced Ukrainian students and researchers wishing to continue their education in Ireland can contact this central helpdesk established by the government.
The helpdesk will direct students to third-level institutions or researcher positions that meet their educational needs. It is staffed by admissions experts and research advisors. Contact the National Student and Researcher Helpdesk at NSRHelpdesk@mu.ie or by calling +353 (0)1 474 7788.
gov.ie - Employment, childcare and education (www.gov.ie) - click to read
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has announced a range of new measures to provide access to further and higherlevel education for the academic year 2022/2023 to displaced Ukrainian students living in Ireland.
The measure will ensure displaced Ukrainians will be treated as European students and will not be subjected to international fees.
The national Erasmus grant allocation will also be used to fund financial supports for qualified persons who undertake full-time studies in Higher Education Institutions, as well as displaced academic staff.
Displaced Ukrainian students will also be eligible to access the Springboard+ programme HEA - Springboard+ (springboardcourses.ie) and Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLC).
gov.ie - Minister Harris announces new measures to provide access to further and higher education for displaced Ukrainian students (www.gov.ie) - click to read.
What supports are available to minors arriving in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive?
The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA), has statutory responsibility for the care of any unaccompanied children (minors) in the State. TUSLA have advised that where there is a private arrangement for the child’s care, they assess the arrangement. Where TUSLA finds that this arrangement satisfies their criteria in relation to the care and safety of the child, there is no further involvement from a financial support perspective provided from TUSLA.
Children in such placements, including those availing of the Temporary Protection Directive and those that are not deemed to be a qualified child for the purpose of primary scheme payments, may have an entitlement to other supports from the Department of Social Protection.
An Officer administering SWA may provide support by way of an Other Supplement to that child. Payment amounts in these cases would be at the age-appropriate Increase for a Qualified Child rate of €40 per week for a child under 12 years or €48 per week for a child over 12 years. This payment which is means tested and examines the means, if any, of the child, can be nominated to the adult who has the care of the child. Applications can be made with the community welfare service at local Intreo Offices.
Why are people with Temporary Protection and receiving a Jobseekers payment being asked to attend their local Intreo or Branch Office?
Persons covered by the Temporary Protection Directive, in receipt of a Jobseekers payment and are fully unemployed are being invited into their local Intreo or Branch Office to confirm their ongoing eligibility to their Jobseekers payment. The eligibility criteria for a Jobseekers payment are available online at www.gov.ie/deasp. Select ‘Social Welfare Schemes and Services’ and follow the links.
To continue to be eligible to receive Jobseekers Allowance a person must:
People will receive a letter inviting them to attend their local Intreo or Branch office. The invitation will provide a date and time to attend. A ‘Jobseekers Allowance – Confirmation of Ongoing Eligibility Declaration’ form will be included with the invitation (English (on front) & Ukrainian (on the back)). People should complete the form and bring it with them to their appointment.
It is essential that customers attend this appointment. If a customer fails to attend as requested, their payment may be suspended and subsequently closed. Customers are asked to bring the following items with them when they attend:
If a customer wishes to Close their claim because they no longer require the payment or are no longer eligible then they should visit https://services.mywelfare.ie/ and select the close claim option.
What can I do to help?
You have a key role to play in supporting people when they arrive at their new accommodation and helping them to settle into our communities. In relation to Social Protection entitlements, it would be most helpful if:
Reminder of all useful links:
Gov.ie/Ukraine – a dedicated site with information on the Irish government’s response to the Ukraine crisis, and all the government supports available.
Gov.ie/DSP/Ukraine – a page with information on all social welfare supports for those affected, this information is available in both the Ukrainian and Russian languages.
gov.ie/findyourintreo – this directory gives a list of the locations, contact details and opening hours of all our offices including the dedicated Ukraine Support Centres.
Jobsireland.ie – this website helps those who are looking for employment and employers who have vacancies. It has tailored information for those affected in both the Ukrainian and Russian languages.
https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/out-of-work-payments/benefit-of-work-estimator/ - a quick way of checking how or if income from work, including part time work, could affect a payment from the Department of Social Protection.
www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-for-ukraine-nationals-and-residents-of-ukraine FAQs – for Ukraine Nationals and Residents of Ukraine provided by the Department of Justice.
In our previous editions we featured: