The share of Ukrainians who plan to stay in Ireland on a permanent basis has increased from 41 per cent to 53 per cent. That is according to the largest survey to date of Ukrainians living in Ireland, carried out by the charity Ukrainian Action in January.
8,329 Ukrainians were represented in the survey, which gained responses from 4,678 adults and 3,651 children living in Ukraine, via social media, Telegram chats and groups, personal messages, and printed QR codes. The total number of respondents represents 10 per cent of all Ukrainians who are staying in Ireland.
Responses were received from all counties in Ireland, ranging from Dublin (902 responses) to Longford (38 responses) for the survey, which is the third carried out by Ukrainian Action.
When asked about their intent to stay in Ireland on a permanent basis, 53 per cent said, “Yes, I decided to stay here permanently” – an increase of 12 per cent on 2023, when 41 per cent said they intended to stay permanently. The share of those planning to return home decreased from 25.5 per cent to 19 per cent, while another 1 per cent told the survey they planned to move to another country. 27 per cent of those surveyed said they could not answer the question.
17.2 per cent said they did not plan to stay in Ireland, but were going to come home “as soon as the circumstances allow” – down from 24.3 per cent last year. 1.2 per cent said they had already started planning their return home.
The State’s provision of accommodation was a key reason listed for those who moved to Ireland, with 43 per cent saying this was a main reason – however English as the main language of communication was the top reason given (by 77 per cent of respondents). 43 per cent said they moved to Ireland due to its distance from Russia, while 41 per cent said they had relatives or friends living in Ireland. Other important reasons given included good financial support (25 per cent), simple and clear entry rules (21 per cent) and accessible education (20 per cent).
The survey found that compared to 2023, the share of Ukrainians living in hotels or hostels decreased from 55 per cent to 44 per cent. 11 per cent said they were living in rented housing at market price, while 19 per cent reported living in own-door housing for a symbolic fee. 10 per cent said they were living with a host family, 7 per cent with other refugees, while 5 per cent reported living in Ireland with family or friends.
The majority of those surveyed – 69 per cent – arrived in Ireland in Autumn 2022, while another 14 per cent arrived between the winter of 2022-2023 and the spring of 2023. A further 17 per cent arrived in Ireland in the last six months, according to Ukrainian Action.
The majority of respondents – 59% – are officially married or in a long-term relationship, with 43% living together in Ireland at the time of the survey (increase from 37% in 2023). At the same time, 16% of respondents, although officially married/in long-term relationships, don’t live in Ireland with their partner (in 2022, the figure was 24%). The share of respondents who are not in a relationship/divorced/widower or widow – is 41% (in 2022 – 39%).
Half of respondents (49%) have children under 18 (in 2022, 54% of respondents had children under 18). Mostly (28% of all respondents) have 1 child under 18. Another 21% have 2 or more children under 18.
Asked about their life situation in the context of Ukraine, 34.5 per cent of Ukrainians in Ireland claimed that active military action is still taking place in their hometown, and 28 per cent said that their hometown’s infrastructure is destroyed or heavily damaged. Another 20 per cent talked about occupation of their hometown, 14 per cent – of damaged accommodation, and 10 per cent – of destroyed accommodation. However, 25.7 per cent of respondents reported nothing from the mentioned above.
57 per cent of Ukrainians in Ireland are unemployed, according to the research. 43 per cent of those surveyed said they currently had a paid job, while 35 per cent said they were currently unemployed but were looking for a job. A further 19 per cent said they did not have a job and are not currently looking for one. 2.9 per cent were unemployed citing retirement. Unemployment, according to respondents, was most often due to a lack of opportunities or insufficient language skills.
However, every 3 out of 4 respondents (74%) reported having higher education. Most of them – 55% – have a master’s degree or postgraduate diploma (NFQ equivalent level 9), another 17% have a bachelor degree, and 2% a doctorate.
Among the remaining respondents, 16 per cent said they had obtained vocational education, and 11 per cent – completed secondary or lower level education (Leaving and Junior Certificate equivalent).
At the same time, 17 per cent of respondents are currently studying for their next qualification level, in particular, 10 per cent of them are completing this education in Ireland.
84 per cent of Ukrainians surveyed reported facing problems with their job search, including 96 per cent of those who are presently unemployed and looking for work. Among those employed at the moment but looking for a new job, 42 per cent mentioned lack of language skills as an issue, while 26 per cent cited accommodation uncertainty as an important reason. 20 per cent complained of a lack of transportation to work, while 19 per cent cited inability to work in their field. 8 per cent of Ukrainians in this category felt discrimination was an issue.
Among those who are unemployed, the majority (66 per cent) said it was difficult to find work due to a lack of language proficiency, while 32 per cent cited a lack of transport. 30 per cent talked about inability to work in their field, while 26 per cent spoke about housing, and a further 22 per cent about problems with re-certifying their qualifications.
Among those who don’t have a job at the moment and are looking for one, the majority (66%) find it difficult due to lack of language proficiency. This is followed by lack of transport (32%), inability to work in their field (30%), housing (26%) and problems with re-certifying their qualifications (22%).
98 per cent of respondents have temporary protection in Ireland (“Yellow Letter”).
Furthermore, almost all respondents have a PPS number (99%) and a “yellow letter” from the Department of Justice (96%). A smaller number of respondents have a medical card (84%). 77% have a debit card (bank account), 27% – IRP, 8% – driving licenses – according to the survey.
93 per cent of respondents also said they would like to convey gratitude/thanks to the government and people of Ireland.
The findings, published this week, coincide with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s admission that higher social welfare rates for Ukrainians in State accommodation in Ireland is “not sustainable.”
He was agreeing with Minister Heather Humphreys, who said on Tuesday that the situation is not sustainable in the long run.
“We can’t have a situation forever whereby people who’ve come to Ireland from Ukraine receive accommodation from the State and also receive full social welfare from the State,” the Taoiseach said.
“That was done because they were fleeing a very difficult situation and a very war-torn situation in Ukraine.”
Mr Varadkar added that any change would only be applicable to Ukrainians in State accommodation, and not the “very many Ukrainians who are providing their own accommodation and working and contributing to our economy.”