Ireland offers up to 10 thousand euros to Ukrainian refugees for returning home: why the program is being launched
9 October 17:30
The Irish government is considering increasing benefits for refugees who voluntarily agree to leave the country and return to their homeland. This is reported by blik.ua, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Under the new rules:
- individuals can receive up to 2,500 euros,
- families – up to 10,000 euros.
The initiative aims to reduce the burden on the Irish migration system, which has been under serious pressure in recent years.
The government’s arguments
- Minister of Justice Jim O’Callaghan noted that the government is exploring new approaches to regulating migration.
- Minister of Finance Pascal Donoghue supported the program, explaining that forced expulsion is expensive and complicated, while voluntary return with compensation can be more effective.
- The government emphasizes that Ireland remains an open country, but needs “clear mechanisms” to manage the influx of people.
Why it matters
- Ireland has received tens of thousands of Ukrainians after the full-scale invasion of Russia.
- The refugee accommodation system is overloaded, lacking housing and resources.
- Voluntary financial compensation is a way to combine a humanitarian approach with budgetary realities.
The context in the EU
The problem is not unique to Ireland:
- In the EU, return incentive schemes are increasingly being discussed to reduce the pressure on social systems.
- Some governments have emphasized the need to balance support for refugees with the capacity of their own economies.
- Meanwhile, other countries, such as Lithuania, are extending temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2027.
What’s next
The program has not yet been finalized. If the government makes a decision, it could become one of the first large-scale examples of financial incentives for refugee return within the European Union.
For Ukrainians, this opens up an additional option: either to stay in Ireland with access to social programs or to return home with financial support.
