Written answer
Community Employment Schemes
249. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if Ukrainian refugees who are currently participating in community employment schemes, TÚS employment schemes or rural social schemes will be eligible to remain in Ireland under the new temporary protection transition scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44761/26]
Comment on this
Minister O'Callaghan and I have received government approval for measures to transition Ukraine Accommodation Supports and Temporary Protection.
The measures have been approved by government, in line with the EU Council recommendation for a co-ordinated approach to transition people out of Temporary Protection across the EU.
Ireland intends to continue to support people from Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.
In recognition of the valuable contribution many people who have come from Ukraine since the outbreak of the war have made, Ireland will introduce an alternative permission to live and work here.
This permission will be granted for a period of up to two years, renewable for periods of two years thereafter, with time on the permission counting towards naturalisation.
The eligibility criteria for this permission will include:
• being resident in Ireland for a minimum of one year as a beneficiary of Temporary Protection;
• employment or self-employment for six months, with a minimum yearly salary of €29,432;
• not be availing of state supported accommodation such as commercially provided, rapid build programme or hosted accommodation supported by the Accommodation Recognition Payment at the time of application.
Persons who do not satisfy the eligibility criteria for the alternative permission will still be entitled to Temporary Protection status while the Temporary Protection Directive is in effect.
It is planned that the application process for the alternative permission will open in September 2026. More information is available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/campaigns/ukraine-updates-en/.