The Ukraine Civil Society Forum (UCSF), established in Ireland in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and comprised of 121 national and local organisations, welcomes the confirmation at European level of the extension of Temporary Protection status for Ukrainians in Europe to March 2027. The news brings a measure of stability and certainty for those who remain displaced and now places the impetus on national governments to outline the integration and long-term immigration rights of that community.

The UCSF takes this opportunity to reflect on an extraordinary three years in Ireland’s humanitarian response. Notable achievements include:

• Temporary protection offered to 116,432 people (over a period of 38 months to June 2025), 80,000 remain;
• 26,725 people employed currently;
• 18,000 children enrolled in school;
• 21,206 hosts accommodating 38,206 people as of 1st June, 2025;
• 23,585 people currently accommodated in short-term accommodation as of 1st June, 2025;
• Establishment of Local Authority Integration Teams across Ireland;
• Community Integration Forums established in all Local Authority Areas;
• Community Link team established across Ireland;
• Provision of REALT (Regional Education and Language Teams) in support of Ukrainian children and children from International Protection backgrounds;
• Community Recognition Fund established to acknowledge the positive integration work of local communities.

Commenting on the news, the Forum’s National Coordinator, Brian Killoran said: “Irish communities have risen to the challenge of welcoming refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere again and again. They have put their shoulder to the wheel and continue to carry out the daily work of local integration at community level. We also recognize the tireless work of many government officials to rise to the sudden needs presented. In turn, the Ukrainians here are working and studying in their tens of thousands, are becoming more self-sufficient by the day and are an asset to this country, as all migrant communities are. We now must see the long sought-for medium to long term planning from Government to support their further integration and inclusion.”

In the continued absence of a national integration strategy, the UCSF has called on the Government to develop an interim strategy which would support the needs of both Ukrainians and International Protection Applicants.

John Lannon, CEO of Doras added: “The recent findings of the Migration Policy Index (MIPEX) at EU level show that Ireland has regressed in its integration rating when compared across other member states. As some of the most marginalised – and increasingly most villainised – cohorts within immigration in Ireland, the needs of those seeking protection, and indeed all migrant communities and those working with them are negatively impacted by the ongoing lack of a national strategy on integration, this must urgently be addressed by government. Tremendous work is being done daily across Ireland to build the infrastructure of welcome in local communities, and this now needs formalisation, coherency and appropriate resourcing.”

Key measures the UCSF has recommended include:

• Description of a managed post temporary protection transition to alternative immigration permission;
• Resetting the medium-term accommodation strategy to confirm the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) will remain to March 2027; Amend rent supplement to be suitable for shared/co-living accommodation as a transitional rent support, and reopen the Renovation Scheme to bring new properties into supply;
• Expansion of English language class provision and recognition of qualifications
• Improved cross-departmental collaboration and strategic planning on migration and integration in all government departments;
• Empower Ukrainian voices to be included in policy formulation so that their needs and experiences are appropriately reflected;
• Expand Housing for All to include all refugee accommodation needs.

Anatoliy Prymakov, a founder of Ukrainian Action in Ireland, a representative organisation of Ukrainians established in 2022, added: “The reality is that Russia’s war against Ukraine is showing no signs of ending. And even if it were to end tomorrow, many Ukrainians who have found refuge in Ireland will not feel safe enough to return or have a home to return to. On that basis, Ukrainians will feel compelled to stay in Ireland for the foreseeable future, which necessitates a clear and robust integration strategy from the government that caters to the needs of Ukrainian refugees.”