Ukrainians living in Waterford given extension of temporary protection
Former Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr Joe Kelly hosted a peaceful vigil on The Mall in support of Ukraine in July 2023. Photo: Joe Evans
A unanimous agreement on a one-year extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians has been reached.
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, last week attended a two-day meeting with his European counterparts in Luxembourg to discuss a range of issues, including enhancing the internal security of the European Union; managing migration and increasing returns; and combatting serious and organised crime.
Ministers reached agreement on a number of measures, including the extension of the temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing the war.
As part of the discussions leading to this agreement, Ministers also discussed the need to develop a common EU strategy to allow for the orderly winding down of Temporary Protection when the war comes to an end.
Speaking on this, Minister Jim O’Callaghan said, "The Irish Government continues to stand resolute with the Ukrainian Government and its people, and we are committed to working in solidarity with our EU colleagues to support those fleeing Ukraine.
"To date Ireland has issued over 116,157 certificates of Temporary Protection to Ukrainians and today, at a European level, we have unanimously agreed to extend the protection offered under this scheme to March 2027.
"We have agreed to develop a common strategy for how Temporary Protection will be wound down when the war comes to an end."
As of February 2025, there are approximately 3,110 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine living in Waterford, the majority of whom are living in the Tramore/Waterford City West area, at 1,281 people.
Waterford City South registers 589 people, whilst there are 516 recorded in Dungarvan.
Waterford City East registers 359, Lismore registers 278 and Portlaw/Kilmacthomas comes in at 87.
