Written answer
Departmental Programmes
2244. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in relation to the proposed voluntary return and rei-ntegration programme for Ukrainian beneficiaries of Temporary Protection; the amount of funding his Department has requested or provided for this programme as part of the 2027 Estimates process; whether any funding has been specifically identified or ring-fenced for the programme; the proportion of the estimated cost expected to be met from Exchequer funding and the proportion expected to be met from EU funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61331/26]
Comment on this
2273. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in relation to the proposed voluntary return and re-integration programme for Ukrainian beneficiaries of TP, the number of persons his Department estimates may avail of the programme in 2027. [61329/26]
Comment on this
2349. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the role his Department and Ireland's diplomatic and consular services are expected to have in supporting the proposed voluntary return and re-integration programme for Ukrainian beneficiaries of TP; whether additional demand for travel documentation, consular assistance or liaison with Ukrainian authorities is anticipated; the additional resources that may be required; whether provision has been made for these requirements in the 2027 Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61207/26]
Comment on this
2351. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the assessment his Department has made of the additional administrative and operational resources required to process applications from Ukrainian beneficiaries of TP who opt in to the proposed voluntary return and re-integration programme; the staffing, administrative, travel, documentation and re-integration resources required; if additional staff or funding will be provided to ensure that participation can be processed in a timely manner; whether his Department has included these requirements in its 2027 Estimates submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61750/26]
Comment on this
2363. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in relation to the proposed voluntary return and re-integration programme for Ukrainian beneficiaries of TP the estimated total cost of operating the programme in 2027, including travel, re-integration assistance; the estimated average cost per participant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61330/26]
Comment on this
2384. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the proposed voluntary return and re-integration programme for Ukrainian beneficiaries of TP is expected to commence; the period it is intended to operate; whether applications will be accepted for a defined period or will remain open-ended; the eligibility criteria and exclusions that will apply; whether persons will be able to apply following refusal of the temporary protection transition scheme; whether a person may avail of the programme more than once; the estimated number of persons expected to participate in 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61968/26]
Comment on this
2386. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the immigration controls and safeguards that will apply to Ukrainian beneficiaries of TP who avail of the proposed voluntary return and re-integration programme and subsequently seek to return to Ireland; whether participation in the programme will result in any period where a person is ineligible to re-enter or obtain immigration permission in the State; if so, the duration and legal basis of such restriction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62002/26]
Comment on this
2387. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether receipt of re-integration assistance for Ukrainian beneficiaries of TP, who avail of the proposed voluntary return and re-integration programme, will affect future applications for permission to enter or remain in the State; the circumstances that would permit a person who has voluntarily returned under the programme to subsequently re-apply for temporary protection or another immigration permission in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62005/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2244, 2273, 2349, 2351, 2363, 2384, 2386 and 2387 together.
Most of the information sought by the Deputy is unavailable at this time. Ireland is not currently supporting voluntary returns to Ukraine. People considering returning to Ukraine, do so of their own volition and by their own means.
Consideration is being given at EU level to the possible development of a voluntary return and reintegration initiative. Ireland remains engaged in ongoing discussion with EU Member States and will continue to monitor developments in this area.
It is expected that information on a dedicated voluntary return and reintegration programme will be available in the coming months.