An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the number of Ukrainian people coming into the state must be slowed to give the government time to catch up on accommodation.
Mr Varadkar said there have been increasing numbers of “secondary movements”, where Ukrainian people living in other parts of Western Europe since the invasion are seeking international protection in Ireland instead.
“We believe that part of the reason is because the offering that we have in Ireland is different to that of other countries,” he said.
The Taoiseach said that no Ukrainian person is going to be turned away from Ireland, adding: “It’s an illusion for countries to think that they can just control the number of people entering. I think everyone knows that, everyone realises that we can’t turn a blind eye to it. And we need to take action that will slow the numbers coming in so we’ve had more time to catch up on accommodation and other issues.”
Speaking from a trade mission in South Korea, Mr Varadkar said that changes are on the way to social welfare for refugees, but that benefits will not be cut off entirely.
“It’s not unusual in other European countries that at a certain point, your job seekers run out, we’ve never done that, I don’t think we’re going to start doing that,” Mr Varadkar said.
