Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants on misleading claims about spending on migrants

In recent days, information has appeared in the public domain regarding how much funding the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the Support and Integration of Migrants allocates to migrants. The increase in budget expenditure largely coincides with the outbreak of war on European soil. Funding for migrants has increased in recent years; however, the key factor is linked to the war, as a result of which the Office also assumed responsibility for the support and integration of refugees from Ukraine.

Due to the crisis situation in Ukraine, the Council of the European Union adopted, on 4 March 2022, a decision to activate temporary protection for displaced persons in the European Union. This mechanism provides immediate and temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022 as a result of the military invasion by Russian armed forces. In line with this decision, the Slovenian Government adopted, on 9 March 2022, a decision introducing temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine in Slovenia. With the entry into force of this decision, the Temporary Protection of Displaced Persons Act began to apply.

In 2022, funds amounting to €22 million were planned for assistance to refugees from Ukraine for a period of six months; €38 million were planned for refugees from Ukraine for 2023, and just under €37 million for 2024. Thus, most of the funds planned in the Office's budget are intended for the implementation of the Temporary Protection of Displaced Persons Act (refugees from Ukraine).