The latest CSO “Arrivals from Ukraine” series shows 75% still in Ireland

30 Oct 2024

 

On 23 October 2024, the CSO released the 14th “Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland” series. This publication uses administrative data to estimate the number of arrivals from Ukraine, and the number of arrivals still present in Ireland.

Overview

The total number of beneficiaries of temporary protection (BoTPs) from Ukraine granted PPS numbers was 109,566 as of 29 September 2024. This excludes those whose BoTP status changed (a total of 1,877). BoTP status can change for various reasons, including voluntarily withdrawing status, informing the authorities that they are returning to Ukraine or moving to another country where they may seek BoTP status.

The total number of BoTPs is up 15,402 (16.4%) from 24 September 2023 when the total was 94,164.

The total is up from the previous four weeks (01 September 2024) by 641 (0.6%) when the total was 108,925.

 

Location and Housing

95% of all arrivals were able to be mapped to a Local Electoral Area (LEA) using either information about the local post office through which individuals sought assistance from the Department of Social Protection, or by using a residential address linked to an Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) being made to a host.

On 30 September 2024, Kenmare had the highest total number of BoTPs at 2,783. Tralee had the second highest at 2,552, followed by Killarney at 2,550, Ennistimon had the fourth highest at 2,064 and Donegal had the fifth highest at 2,008.

Table 2 shows that the LEAs with the lowest numbers of beneficiaries each had under 100. Newport had the fewest, at 53. Leixlip, had 63, Portlaw-Kilmacthomas had 77, Athlone had 89, and Piltown had 95.

As of 29 September 2024, 31,308 arrivals from Ukraine were living in private accommodation, and 13,693 hosts were in receipt of Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) for accommodating people from Ukraine. Dublin County had the highest number of hosted BoTPs at 4,384, followed by Donegal County with 2,863 hosted BoTPs.

The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is a tax-free payment made to hosts who provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine.

 

Activity in Administrative Data

Currently, Ireland does not specifically track whether or not a beneficiary of temporary protection has left Ireland. The CSO use an experimental method to estimate whether BoTPs are still in Ireland using administrative data activity. Signs of activity include attendance at an Intreo event, welfare payment, starting a SOLAS course, being a parent or guardian of a child in the National Childcare Scheme or Early Childhood Care and Education Programme Scheme, employment, or changing their address with the Department of Social Protection. Children’s activity status is dependent on that of their parent/guardian.

According to this method, 75% or 82,051 of arrivals from Ukraine had administrative activity after 30 June 2025, which suggests they are still actively in the country.

 

Employment & Education

Of the 46,668 arrivals that attended an Intreo event, 21,109 had recorded previous occupations, with Professionals being the largest group at 31% (or 6,605 people). Of the 30,507 people for whom education data is available, 60% had achieved a qualification equivalent to NFQ level 7 or higher. NFQ is the National Framework of Qualifications, a 10-level system used to describe qualifications in the Irish education and training system.

As of September 2024, 22,943 persons were employed, and mean weekly earnings were €492. The most common sector of employment was Wholesale, Transport and Accommodation at 45%.

Of the persons that attended Intreo events, English language proficiency was noted as a challenge in securing employment for 56%, and access to childcare and/or transport was noted as a barrier to work for 6%.

For the 2024/2025 academic year, 10,475 arrivals from Ukraine were enrolled in primary education, and 7,087 were enrolled in Secondary education.

The highest number of primary enrolments were in Cork with 1,050 and Dublin with 1,027. The highest number of secondary enrolments was in Dublin with 809 followed by Cork with 705.

 

For more information

Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland Series 14

New data on arrivals from Ukraine in CSO’s latest release (EMN Ireland, Jun 2024)

CSO releases latest statistics on arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland (EMN Ireland, Aug 2022)