Latest news with #TemporaryProtection
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Historic Mayo mansion will no longer accommodate Ukrainian refugees
Ballinafad House, which accommodated over 30 beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (at one point, will revert to alternative use next month. The 110-room property, owned by Australian Bede Tannock, has accommodated Ukrainian refugees since 2022. The historic property had been providing accommodation and operated as a venue for weddings, civil ceremonies and public gatherings. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the property, and Hotel Newport Holiday Apartments, while revert to original or alternative use. Eight people are affected by the discontinuation of the use of Ballinafad House while eleven were living in the Hotel Newport Holiday Apartments. Approximately 2,400 Ukrainian refugees across the country are to be affected by the change of purpose of 30 properties. The Department of Justice said the contracts with private accommodation providers were not being renewed partly due to a 'reduced need' for such facilities to accommodate BOTPs. 'Many people are choosing to move on from State-supported accommodation or are leaving Ireland,' the department stated. 'State accommodation contracts may also be ending where compliance issues arise, or where the owner chooses to end their contract.' Those residing in Ballinafad House must relocate by June 6 while those in the Hotel Newport Holiday Apartments must relocate by July 4. It is understood that many of those who had been living in Ballinafad House have now left the property. Built near the village of Belcarra in 1827, Ballinafad House had fallen into disrepair when restoration works began there in March 2014. ADVERTISEMENT The 70,000 square foot property featured on RTE'S 'Great House Revival' and boasts 40 bedrooms, its own chapel and handball court. The five-bay two-storey-over-raised-basement mansion was built by Maurice Blake, a former High Sheriff of County Mayo, who hailed from a well-known Catholic family who pioneered Gaelic games in the locality. In 1908, Maurice and Anne Blake's son, Lieutenant Colonel Count Llewellyn Joseph, donated the building to the Society of African Missions (SMA). The SMA used the building as a secondary school and minor seminary, known as The Sacred Heart College, to prepare students for missionary priesthood as more ancillary buildings were built onto the house. Over 500 priests were ordained there before the seminary closed in 1957. The property was later purchased by Balla Mart, who used it used as an agricultural college. It closed due to a lack of funding in the mid-1970s after five years in operation. This forced 80 boarders and 120 day students to continue their education elsewhere. Plans for a 'detention centre' and a 'multi-million-euro sports complex' at Ballinafad had been reported in The Mayo News years before Mr Tannock acquired the property for €80,000 in 2014. In 2019, Ballinafad House was placed on the market for €2 million.
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Directors of IPAS centre management firm shared €4.68m last year
Two directors at one of the biggest operators in the International Protection (IP) applicant accommodation sector last year shared a €4.68m jackpot in pay and pension contributions. In the second half alone of last year, Igo Cafe Ltd trading as IGO Emergency Management Services received €29.9m (incl VAT) in State payments for accommodating IP applicants. The Dún Laoghaire-based company is co-owned by directors Ann Murphy and Cristina Andries on a 50/50 basis and in 2024, the two shared €4.68m in remuneration and pension contributions. The Government spent €1bn on accommodating IP applicants last year. The new accounts for Igo Cafe Ltd show that the two directors shared €3.779m in pay and an additional €910,000 in pension contributions. If evenly split, the €3.779m works at €1.889m each for 2024 which equates to average pay of €36,346 per week for each. The €3.77m in pay is almost three times the €1.3m the pair shared in pay in 2023. The accounts show that the company recorded post tax profits of €1.3m last year which was a 48.5% increase on the post tax profits of €882,126 in 2023. Numbers employed increased from 31 to 77 last year while accumulated profits at the end of December stood at €2.28m as cash funds totalled €1.24m. The cash funds of €1.24m compared to only €1,158 in cash in the company at the end of 2019. A spokeswoman for the Dept of Justice said today that IGO Emergency Management Services "are a facilities management provider at four International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation centres". She said: "The Department does not routinely provide details of IPAS Accommodation Centre locations or occupancy levels. "While detailed contractual arrangements for IPAS centres are confidential and commercially sensitive, the Department publishes quarterly reports on all payments to service providers over €20,000, which include IPAS accommodation contracts for this and other providers." She said that these reports are publicly available online. She said: "IGO Emergency Management Services are not a facilities management provider for Ukraine Temporary Protection scheme." Meanwhile, the Government spend on accommodating IP applicants came to €1bn last year, after €280m was spent in the final quarter. The €1bn spend was a 54% increase on the €651.75m paid out in 2023. Last year, the Government spent a total of €1.84bn on accommodation for IP applicants and Ukrainians. The outlay equates to a daily average spend of €5m across 2024.
Irish Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
International Protection applicants given €60m in daily allowances
Some €60.2 million was spent providing 'daily allowances' to 20,749 people in International Protection Accommodation Services in 2024. This was up from €34.4m given to 19,612 people the previous year, despite the introduction of means testing in June, 2024. The figures were released to Fine Gael TD Barry Ward following a parliamentary question to Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary. International Protection Applicants can get a weekly allowance of €38.80 for adults and €29.80 per child. If the Government is unable to provide international protection applicants with accommodation, this increases to €113.80 per week. Since June 2024, the Department of Social Protection has means-tested the allowance for those over 18 and 'getting an income for 12 weeks or more'. Those earning more than €125 a week do not receive the payment, while those earning between €61 and €124 receive a reduced rate. Mr Calleary explained: 'Since June 2024, an income assessment is in effect for Daily Expenses Allowance recipients over 18, where the recipient has income for a total of 12 weeks or more. 'For couples or families, the Daily Expenses Allowance payment for the person who has income may be reduced or withdrawn. 'This will not affect any payments other family members are getting, including children.' In response to Deputy Ward, Minister Calleary confirmed that provisional figures show that €60.2m was paid to 20,749 in receipt of the allowance in 2024. Mr Calleary said at the end of last year, 12,900 received the payment, 14,200 adults and 6,600 kids. Despite the introduction of means testing, the average allowance was €2,901, up from €1,754. Mr Calleary said: 'It should be noted that 2024 expenditure includes the higher rate of payment to support applicants who were unaccommodated and on a waiting list for International Protection Accommodation Services, which was introduced in December 2023. The 2024 figure also includes expenditure of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection [Ukrainian Refugees] residing in State accommodation, €9.8m.'
Euronews
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Refugee allowance and rent compensation: Here's how benefits for Ukrainians are changing in Europe
ADVERTISEMENT With Russia's war in Ukraine in its fourth year, the number of Ukrainians heading to Europe to seek asylum appears to be in decline. Currently, the EU hosts over 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees, with 254,000 others in the UK alone, and tens of thousands more across other extra-EU countries. February saw the lowest number of new asylum decisions (41,435) made by the EU since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, according to Eurostat, a 25% drop since February 2024. Germany has the highest share of Ukrainian refugees, nearly 1.8 million, or 27.3% of the bloc's total. Two weeks ago, Berlin became the latest European capital to announce changes to asylum allowances and other benefits for this group of asylum seekers. So what's the state of play in other countries? Hungary: No more accommodation for western Ukrainians Hungary cancelled state-funded accommodation for Ukrainian refugees coming from western parts of the country, which it now officially considers safe. According to the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, around 3,000 refugees, mostly women and children, were affected. However, Hungary also extended Temporary Protection cards until 4 March 2026, regardless of the validity date physically displayed on the card. Temporary Protection recipients get 22.800 HUF (around €55) monthly, with an additional 13.700 HUF (around €34) per child. Poland: Host allowance and refugee payment discontinued Poland, the country with the second highest number of Ukrainian refugees, recently extended the legal stay period for asylum seekers who left Ukraine after 24 January 2022 to 30 September 2025. However, people hosting or offering food to Ukrainian refugees are no longer eligible for cash compensation. Accommodation can still be arranged with the local authorities. Also, a one-off PL300 payment (around €70) that refugees could previously receive has been terminated. Nonetheless, Poland allows Ukrainians to get a personal ID number, meaning they are entitled to work and get free medical care. Ukrainian children still may receive 800 PLN, just like Polish children, but only if they fulfil their school attendance requirements. Norway: Child benefits tightened over 'unsustainable' arrivals Norway was one of the first European countries to tighten benefit schemes, aiming to tackle what it called an unsustainable number of arrivals shortly after the beginning of the full-scale invasion. ADVERTISEMENT The government cut child benefits and restricted the opportunity for people with temporary collective protection to travel between Ukraine and Norway. It also limited the use of hotels as asylum reception centres, and warne refugees who want to access the country's National Insurance Scheme that they would need to meet residency duration requirements. Slovakia: Cuts to accommodation and allowances At the beginning of March, Slovakia enforced new rules for Ukrainians who arrived after 28 February 2025. The maximum time for which they are eligible to stay in asylum facilities was cut down to 60 days from the previous 120, and this accommodation allowance is now available only for their first 60 days in the country. Deputy Interior Minister Peter Krauspe explained this by saying that Ukrainian refugees generally secure work and housing within two months of arriving in Slovakia. ADVERTISEMENT However, these changes won't apply to vulnerable groups, including children under the age of five, people over 65 and single parents of young children. Estonia: Six-month deadline for housing aid Every Ukrainian refugee household can claim a lump €1,200 reimbursement to cover rental costs. But new rules require that the reimbursement application be submitted within the first six months after the first residence permit was granted. In addition to compensation for rental costs, refugees can also be reimbursed for translation services of up to €3,200 per family, and €1,600 per single individual, within two years. Estonia also grants children under 19 an allowance of €80 for the first and second child in the family, and of €100 for the third and next child in the family, up to €650 per month in case of seven children. ADVERTISEMENT There is also a parental allowance for parents who sought refuge in Estonia with a child under one and a half years of age. It amounts to €820 per month for up to 545 days. Austria: A1 German level required for Red-White-Red Card Plus Austria has extended Ukrainian refugees' residence rights until 4 March 2026. Ukrainian refugees with the so-called Blue Card can now apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus (Rot–Weiß–Rot–Karte plus), which allows them to live and work in Austria. Requirements include an A1 level of German, providing proof of income, and a record of having worked in Austria with full insurance for at least 12 months in the last 24 months before applying. Ireland: Homeowner allowance to be cut by 25% Ireland is planning to cut a tax-free payment for people hosting Ukrainian refugees from €800 to €600 in June. ADVERTISEMENT The scheme has however been extended through to March 2026. Ireland had previously cut the allowance for each Ukrainian refugee from €232 a week to €38.80. Belgium: Flanders phases out subsidy for sleeping hubs Belgium's Dutch-speaking region of Flanders announced the end of subsidies for private sleeping spots after 1 January 2025. On the other hand, public authorities with at least five Ukrainian refugees will receive a €1,000 lump sum for each asylum seeker hosted, if they host at least five and are registered as a hosting spot by 1 January 2025. Germany: Incoming refugees to be supported under a different benefit system Ukrainian refugees who entered Germany after 1 April 2025 will no longer receive the Citizen's Allowance (Bürgergeld). ADVERTISEMENT They will be supported under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (Asylleistungen) instead. It is currently unclear if changes to the Ukrainian refugees settled before this date will also see changes to their benefits in the future. However, these changes are not formally in place yet, pending the agreement of Germany's new coalition government: they have already been approved by the centre-right Christian Social Union (CSU), but still need to be rubber-stamped by its sister party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). The coalition is due to be signed on 30 April, if all three parties agree. ADVERTISEMENT Ukrainian refugees were the first to qualify for Citizen's Allowance and were granted residency status within the EU without having to apply for asylum first, unlike refugees from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan. Under the Citizen's Allowance, single individuals receive €563 per month, whereas asylum seekers receive €441, which is loaded onto a payment card. Refugees also receive less money if sharing accommodation, although housing costs are still covered. Bürgergeld is funded through taxes collected by the federal government, whereas asylum support is provided by states and municipalities. ADVERTISEMENT Bulgaria: Deadline to renew temporary protection card nears Bulgarian authorities extended temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees till 4 March 2026. However, temporary protection cards that have already been issued must be renewed by 30 April 2025 . Ukrainian refugees are granted financial aid of BGN 375 (€190), temporary shelter, advocacy, as well as therapy and rehabilitation. Czech Republic: Strict requirements for new residency scheme Last month, Prague approved a new long-term residence scheme available to Ukrainians who earn over CZK 440,000 (€17,551) gross annually, have been living in the country under temporary protection for at least two years, and haven't received benefits since last July. Authorities said the measure aims to push refugees to integrate further and become self-sufficient. But NGOs and the Ombudsman's Office are concerned that many refugees will be left out as they don't meet these conditions. ADVERTISEMENT Normally, all new Ukrainian refugees are granted a CZK 5,000 allowance (€200) in cash for up to a maximum of five months. Italy: Accommodation services extended until end of 2025 The monthly allowance for Ukrainian refugees in Italy is €300 per adult, plus another €150 for each accompanied minor under 18. Refugees are hosted in hotels or private accommodations across the country. However, reception services will be available nationwide until 31 December 2025, according to the country's Civil Protection Department. Refugees who still need housing past February 2025 may also be relocated to a different region from the one where they initially settled. France: Renting support on top of accommodation allowance Ukrainian refugees in France receive an ADA (Asylum Seeker Allowance) at the beginning of the month through a payment card, and are eligible to receive around €426 a month. ADVERTISEMENT There is a basic amount of €6.80 per day for a single person, plus another €7.40 pécule for those asylum seekers who weren't provided with accommodation. Support is also available for renting private housing or finding a dedicated accommodation centre. Arrangements are also in place for Russian and Belarusian nationals "threatened in their country because of their positions in the conflict". United Kingdom: Jobless refugees can apply for Universal Credit Ukrainian refugees living in the UK are eligible for both one-off and ongoing financial support through various welfare schemes. Through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, for example, each asylum seeker with a sponsor in the UK can receive a one-off payment of £200 upon arrival, while the host can claim £350 a month for the duration of their Homes for Ukraine visa. ADVERTISEMENT Asylum seekers with children, meanwhile, can receive £26.05 a week for their eldest or only child, £17.25 for each additional child, and financial support for childcare if the children are not in school yet. Jobless or low-income people can apply for Universal Credit, a single-payment benefit whose size depends on the family situation and housing costs. Spain: Employment assistance and €400 Spain has approved a €400 allowance for each adult Ukrainian refugee, plus €100 per minor, for a duration of six months. Applicants must have a social security number and "no resources to cover their daily needs". The country also provides health insurance and labour market integration support. ADVERTISEMENT Netherlands: Higher food allowance for solo refugees and smaller families In the Netherlands, both adults and children are eligible for a monthly subsistence allowance for clothing and food, as well as an extra allowance that can be used for public transport, visiting family or taking part in sports. However, once a refugee aged 18 or older gets a job, the allowance stops for all family members. As of the beginning of 2025, the clothing allowance is €62.66, and the extra allowance is €77.16. Meanwhile, refugees who do not get their meals at a municipal reception centre see their budgets vary. Smaller families get more money per person than larger families. ADVERTISEMENT For instance, a solo refugee or an adult in a two-person family receives €252.18, while an adult in a four-person family receives €189.13. The allowance is paid by the municipality where the individuals are registered and can be deposited directly into their bank account, onto a money card, or in cash. Portugal: Temporary protection status Ukrainians with refugee status in Portugal will be granted a temporary protection title, which automatically includes a temporary residence permit, a tax identification number, a social security identification number, and a national health service user number. The temporary protection title will allow them to be entitled to the social integration income (RSI) as long as their monthly income is up to €237.25 and their combined financial assets, such as bank deposits, shares, bonds, postal savings certificates, participation securities and units in collective investment institutions, do not exceed €30,555.60. ADVERTISEMENT An RSI applicant will receive €237.25, with an additional €166.88 for a second adult. For refugees with children under the age of 18, there is an added amount of €118.63 per child. Ukrainian refugees can also apply for unemployment benefits to compensate for involuntary job loss. This benefit amounts to €522.50 for beneficiaries living in a household or €418 for single beneficiaries. Portugal has a dedicated platform for refugees from Ukraine to look for a job ("Portugal for Ukraine") and a support line available in Ukrainian. ADVERTISEMENT
The National
25-02-2025
- Business
- The National
Trump gold card: President says US residency rights will be sold to wealthy investors
President Donald Trump has said the US will start selling 'gold cards', which like permanent residency green cards would give foreign people a route to American citizenship, but at a price tag of $5 million. Mr Trump said the programme would incentivise wealthy people to go to the US, invest, pay taxes and create US jobs. He said the scheme would help to reduce the US deficit. The 'Trump gold card' will 'give you green card privileges, plus it's going to be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card", he said in the Oval Office on Tuesday. 'So they'll be able to pay $5 million to the US government, go through vetting, of course. Going to make sure they are wonderful, world-class, global citizens.' Green cards are normally obtained by getting a sponsorship through work, a relative or by marriage. But many countries including the UAE have investor visas. Mr Trump, who began his second term in office last month, has made reducing immigration a main focus of his policy goals. He has pledged to conduct the largest deportation campaign in the nation's history and slash foreign worker visa programmes, saying they undermine US security and take away American jobs. Deportations have so far been directed at undocumented migrants, particularly from Central and South America, many of whom entered through the southern US border. He also ended Temporary Protection for tens of thousands of Haitians, putting them at risk of deportation. When asked whether Russian oligarchs would qualify for the gold cards, Mr Trump said: 'Yeah, possibly.'
