Change the "continuous employment" condition in the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme
The Issue
We, the undersigned, are Ukrainians living in Ireland under Temporary Protection. We are grateful to Ireland for the safety and support we have received, and we welcome the introduction of the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme. We are writing to respectfully ask for a change to one of its conditions.
The problem
According to the published guidance, applicants must have worked continuously for six months before 30 September 2026 and must still be employed on the day of the application. In practice, even a single day between two jobs resets the clock, regardless of how long a person has worked before.
Many of us have worked in Ireland for years and paid our taxes here. Along the way, many changed jobs for better pay, moved to a new contract, or were made redundant. These are normal events in working life, and most are not a choice. Yet under the current rule, people who meet every other requirement of the Scheme may be unable to apply, and with the Scheme closing on 30 March 2027, there may not be enough time to start the count again.
Our request
We respectfully ask the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to amend the employment condition so that applicants are required to show a total of 6 months of employment or self-employment within the 12 months before their application, whether or not that employment was continuous.
Why this change is fair
1. It keeps the purpose of the Scheme. Six months of work still shows a real connection to working life in Ireland.
2. It treats people fairly. A short gap between jobs, a change of contract or a redundancy should not cancel months or years of work and tax contributions.
3. It reflects how people actually work. Moving to a better job is something Irish employers and the Government encourage, and it should not be penalised.
4. It affects tens of thousands of people. Many Ukrainians who work and contribute to their communities across Ireland are worried about being excluded by a technicality.
We would be very grateful for your consideration of this request and for a public clarification of how the Department intends to address this issue.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Signed,
Ukrainians of County Cork
232
The Issue
We, the undersigned, are Ukrainians living in Ireland under Temporary Protection. We are grateful to Ireland for the safety and support we have received, and we welcome the introduction of the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme. We are writing to respectfully ask for a change to one of its conditions.
The problem
According to the published guidance, applicants must have worked continuously for six months before 30 September 2026 and must still be employed on the day of the application. In practice, even a single day between two jobs resets the clock, regardless of how long a person has worked before.
Many of us have worked in Ireland for years and paid our taxes here. Along the way, many changed jobs for better pay, moved to a new contract, or were made redundant. These are normal events in working life, and most are not a choice. Yet under the current rule, people who meet every other requirement of the Scheme may be unable to apply, and with the Scheme closing on 30 March 2027, there may not be enough time to start the count again.
Our request
We respectfully ask the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to amend the employment condition so that applicants are required to show a total of 6 months of employment or self-employment within the 12 months before their application, whether or not that employment was continuous.
Why this change is fair
1. It keeps the purpose of the Scheme. Six months of work still shows a real connection to working life in Ireland.
2. It treats people fairly. A short gap between jobs, a change of contract or a redundancy should not cancel months or years of work and tax contributions.
3. It reflects how people actually work. Moving to a better job is something Irish employers and the Government encourage, and it should not be penalised.
4. It affects tens of thousands of people. Many Ukrainians who work and contribute to their communities across Ireland are worried about being excluded by a technicality.
We would be very grateful for your consideration of this request and for a public clarification of how the Department intends to address this issue.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Signed,
Ukrainians of County Cork
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Petition created on 2 October 2026