The Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55 EC) has been activated by EU Council Decision EU 2022/382 of 4 March 2022, to provide immediate protection in EU countries for people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Temporary Protection in Ireland applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia:
a) Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
b) Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;
c) Family members of persons covered by a) and b), where their family already existed in Ukraine, prior to 24 February
Family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit before 24 February 2022.
Temporary protection also applies to nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) and stateless people who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 with a permanent Ukrainian residence permit, who cannot safely return to their country of origin.
People who arrive in Ireland who had been legally residing in Ukraine prior to 24 February 2022 with a temporary or short-term residence permit issued by the Ukrainian authorities, will be assisted to return to their country of origin, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), if it is safe for them to do so.
If you are a Ukrainian national who is currently in Ireland on a short stay ‘C’ type visa, you will also be able to avail of Temporary Protection. You can apply for this permission by visiting the Citywest Convention Centre (Garters Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin, D24 A38Y) or the Ukraine Support Centres in Cork (Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62) and in Limerick (the Limerick Intreo Centre, Dominic Street, V94 X327).
You do not need to make an appointment to attend.
If you are a Ukrainian national who is currently in Ireland on another immigration permission or stamp, for example as a student or as someone with an employment permit, you will remain on that permission/stamp until it expires or falls due for renewal. At that point, you may decide whether to further extend or renew your existing permission or to avail of Temporary Protection for the remainder of the period for which the Temporary Protection is available as determined by the EU Council.
Temporary Protection provides you with a wide range of supports, including:
- permission to reside in Ireland for a period of 1 year, and the permission may be extended for further periods after that
- full access to the labour market
- access to accommodation, if needed
- social welfare income supports
- access to education
- access to medical care
