Government criticised for cutting travel passes for disabled Ukrainian refugees

The government’s decision to cut travel passes for Ukrainian refugees has been criticised by the Ukraine Civil Society Forum.

As part of the government’s decision to gradually wind down support for refugees, travel passes will be phased out for refugees from Ukraine.

It is estimated that over 500 vulnerable and disabled refugees from Ukraine will be affected by the move.

Speaking on behalf of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum, Emma Lane Spollen said “520 people with a disability or their carer have lost their travel pass along with the reduction in their social welfare to €38.80 a week allowance.”

“This unintended consequence hugely impacts the most vulnerable. How are they to make their medical appointments? Travel into town to do their laundry? It is severely isolating.”

“A disability is a disability, a human is a human. We wouldn’t take the travel card from a disabled Irish person because we know how essential it is.”

The Ukraine Civil Society Forum has called for “common sense to prevail” and the Government to “find a solution” to the issue.

“Not doing so will see deterioration in people’s health and mental health,” they said.

“It doesn’t and shouldn’t be this way.”

A spokesperson for the Department of CEDIY has confirmed the cutting of travel passes to disabled Ukrainian refugees and their carers.

“From 9 September 2024, the Free Travel Scheme is no longer available to approximately 320 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection resident in a Designated Accommodation Centre who were previously in receipt of Disability Allowance, and approx. 200 who were previously in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.”