On the Recognition of Temporary Protection Years for Residency and the Right to Remain for Ukrainian Beneficiaries

To:

The Government of Ireland

The Minister for Justice

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Government of Ireland review and reconsider the current policy under which years spent in Ireland by Ukrainian citizens under Temporary Protection (pursuant to EU Council Directive 2001/55/EC and Ireland’s activation of the Temporary Protection Directive in March 2022) do not count toward the statutory residency requirement for long-term residency or citizenship.

I, Svitlana Mahdenko, arrived in Ireland from Ukraine with my three children on 31 March 2022. Since that time, my family — like thousands of other Ukrainian families — has lived, studied, worked, and fully integrated into Irish society.

My three children have been continuously enrolled in Irish schools.

 • My youngest son began his education entirely in Ireland, learning to read, write, and count in English and studying Irish.

 • My daughter has completed multiple years of schooling here and dreams of going to a secondary school for girls after 6th grade, continuing to play the piano, learning Irish and Spanish, and continuing to play Gaelic football.

 •My eldest son graduated from a boys' school and is currently studying to be a barber. He has a lot of plans and ideas.

Both my husband and I have worked in Ireland since our arrival, paid taxes, rented a home, contributed to local communities, and demonstrated full commitment to integration, English-language learning, and independent living.

Issue

The recent clarification that years spent under Temporary Protection will not count toward the residency requirement for naturalisation has caused significant insecurity and distress among Ukrainian families who will spend five years in Ireland by 2027.

For many children, these years represent a substantial part of their lives, their education, their friendships, and their sense of home. For working adults, these years represent sustained economic contribution, labour, and integration equivalent to that of other non-EEA residents who become eligible for long-term residency and citizenship after five years.

We respectfully ask the Government of Ireland to:

1. Count the years Ukrainian families spend in Ireland under Temporary Protection as reckonable residence for future applications for citizenship or long-term residency (Long-Term Residency / Stamp 4 permission under existing immigration legislation).

2. Allow Ukrainian citizens who have established their lives in Ireland to apply for a legal right to remain after the Temporary Protection regime ends, especially for families with children integrated into Irish schools, and for adults who have demonstrably contributed to Irish society and the economy.

3. Give special consideration to children

Rationale

 • Ukrainian beneficiaries of Temporary Protection have lived in Ireland lawfully for multiple consecutive years.

 • They have been working, paying taxes, attending Irish schools, and integrating on par with other residents whose years count toward citizenship.

 • Many children educated in Ireland consider the country their home and face serious psychological, developmental, and educational harm if forced to relocate.

 • Ireland’s humanitarian leadership since 2022 has already demonstrated deep commitment to protection, dignity, and stability for Ukrainian people. Extending residency recognition to those who have built their lives here would reflect the same principles.

Why Ireland’s Decision Matters for Thousands of Children

For my children — and many thousands more — Ireland is not a temporary shelter.

It is:
 • their school,
 • their friends,
 • their teachers,
 • their sports teams,
 • their first dreams,
 • and their only sense of home.

We are deeply grateful for the protection Ireland has offered us.
Now we are simply asking for fairness, stability, and the chance for our children to continue their lives without fear.

We ask Ireland to continue leading with compassion.

We ask for the opportunity to stay, contribute, and belong.

Best regards,
Svitlana Mahdenko 
Resident in Ireland since 31 March 2022