Irish authorities say they will not send Ukrainian refugees home

Ireland will not send Ukrainian refugees home as long as the war in Ukraine continues. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said this in a commentary for the Irish independent newspaper.

He stressed that people would not be sent home even if they did not come to Strau from occupied or frontline towns. Varadkar emphasised that there are no safe places in Ukraine now.

No Ukrainian refugee will be sent back to Ukraine until the war with Russia is over, Varadkar said.

The politician also said he expected the European Union to extend temporary protection status to refugees fleeing the war.

I can't imagine anyone being sent back to Ukraine until it is safe there. Obviously in some parts of the country the war is raging every day, there are other parts of the country that are periodically hit by rocket attacks," the Irish prime minister said.

It is known that Ireland on its territory received about 100 thousand Ukrainians after the beginning of the war, about 20 thousand have already returned home.

At the same time, living conditions on the territory of the country are becoming more difficult. Thus, since 29 January the assistance for those living in public housing is reduced from 220 euros to 38.8 euros per week, i.e. from about 9.2 thousand UAH to 1.6 thousand UAH. In addition, free housing will be provided to Ukrainians for only 90 days, whereas previously they were allowed to live in it indefinitely.