The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, visited the reception facility at Dublin Airport this morning where they met with people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive.
The Ministers also met with the staff from each of their Departments and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who are providing support and assistance to these people from Ukraine as they establish themselves in Ireland.
Following their visit, Minister Humphreys commented:
“Officials from the Department of Social Protection are working with their colleagues in the Department of Justice and with interpreters at the facility in Dublin Airport to process applications for supports for people arriving from Ukraine as quickly as possible.
“We are also ensuring people can receive Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Child Benefit quickly and are put in touch with staff from the network of Intreo Centres.
“I was really pleased, along with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, to visit Dublin Airport, to formally open a new reception centre for the families and individuals arriving from Ukraine.
“I met one woman, Valentina Roman, who had endured a terrible ordeal travelling to escape the war. She is just one of so many people who are counting on our country, and our people, to provide them with the services and protections they need.
“This centre, staffed by officials from the Departments of Social Protection, Justice and Children, will now act as a one stop shop for people when they arrive in the airport.
“I know the people of Ireland will support the people from Ukraine settle in our country and will provide them with the necessary help so that they can rebuild their lives in our country.”
Minister McEntee said:
“From the outset of this appalling war, the Irish people have been clear that they will stand with the people of Ukraine in their time of need.
“From the start, we in Government have also been clear that a co-ordinated, whole-of-Government response is needed to support people who are fleeing from this shocking and brutal attack on a sovereign state and a direct assault on European democratic values.
“With the support of DAA, who have made this building available to Government at no cost, we are doing exactly that.
“The immigration letters that people will receive when they arrive at this facility mean that legally from this moment they are beneficiaries of Temporary Protection status - entitled to work, and to access education, healthcare, housing, social welfare, and all that our country has to offer.”
Pictures sent separately by Maxwell Photography.
ENDS