TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has said it is possible Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland are coming from other EU states because income and social welfare supports provided to them here are more generous than other countries.

Martin said it is a “phenomenon” that people from Ukraine are now arriving in Ireland having been based in other European countries stating it is putting pressure on  accommodation. 

In what he described as “secondary transfers”, Martin told the media at the Global Ireland Summit at Dublin Castle today:

“There is some evidence that perhaps there’s some secondary transfers now from across Europe, as opposed to directly from Ukraine, and that’s the issue that is being examined now in terms of any new arrivals into the future.”

His comments come after a final Cabinet decision on limiting state-accommodation to three months for those arriving from Ukraine was “deferred” following a meeting of coalition leaders last night, with senior sources stating that “more work” needed to be done in areas like social welfare. 

Heated discussions at Cabinet

While a memo was not brought to Cabinet on the issue, it is understood a row between ministers was sparked by a presentation given by Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman on the proposal.

While the discussion was described as heated, two sources denied there was a split at Cabinet, stating that there was just no agreement as of yet on the approach to be taken, stating all matters are still up for discussion. 

The Tánaiste said the proposal for time-limited stays in state accommodation is a matter that remains under discussion. 

“That decision hasn’t been made yet. That is still under discussion. There’s a wide variety of measures there to be discussed… I think these are issues that are being teased out right now,” said Martin.

“There is a broad range of issues being looked at but I am not going into further detail until the government has completed its deliberations,” said Martin. 

It is understood the Tánaiste raised concerns about the proposal with O’Gorman highlighting the knock-on impacts on housing provision, homeless figures as well as issues around the education of children. 

Pressure on accommodation is a key concern for government witl The Journal being told by another senior source that about one third of arrivals related to the war in Ukraine right now are secondary movements, meaning Ukrainians have come to Ireland having already been in other EU states. 

A separate senior source said “it’s a large number “, stating that government needs to look at the overall picture. 

The Journal has asked the Department of Integration for confirmation of such figures. 

Irish supports 

Speaking at a briefing for journalists at the summit in Dublin Castle, he said it is “possible” that people were coming to Ireland because its offering to refugees is more generous than in other European countries.

However, he added: “People are mobile, to be fair now, there are families reuniting… I don’t have any problem with that. But I think the matter is being examined in all its aspects generally so I am going to leave it at that.”

When pushed about whether those arriving into Ireland having already spent time in another EU country would be treated differently in terms of accommodation or welfare provisions, Martin said “no, I’m not saying that at all”.

“I think first of all, many people have commented on the strength of Ireland’s response in respect of the war on Ukraine. It’s a vicious war. It’s very savage war, and many people fled that war, particularly during the bombing campaigns of last year on infrastructure and civilian residential accommodation,” he said.

“So people have commented favourably on Ireland’s response. We’re not a military power. We do not provide any military assistance like other European countries do, and some extraordinary public expenditure has been incurred by other EU member states.

“So ours has been predominantly on the political and humanitarian front in terms of supporting Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and accepting refugees from the war.

“But there is some evidence that perhaps there’s some secondary transfers now from across Europe, as opposed to directly from Ukraine, and that’s the issue that has been examined now in terms of any new arrivals into the future.” 

He said the scale of the issue has to be “identified”, stating that “these are issues” that will arise as “time moves on”. 

When asked when a final call will be made on modifying the Ireland’s policy in terms of its response to refugees from Ukraine, he said it “won’t be long”.