Skip to main content
Normal View

Ukraine War

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Questions (22)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

22. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the resources that are being made available to local Intreo offices to help host families of Ukrainian individuals coming to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55 EC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14884/22]

View answer

Written answers

I welcome the support provided by host families willing to provide whatever assistance they can, including the offer of temporary accommodation to people arriving from Ukraine. On 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the Temporary Protection Directive, due to the mass influx of persons fleeing Ukraine as a consequence of the war.  This means that people arriving into Ireland from Ukraine have been granted the status to avail of income supports from my Department. 

We have an excellent record in reacting quickly and appropriately to emergency situations.  Officials from my Department and the Department of Justice are in Dublin Airport to meet with people arriving from Ukraine to ensure that temporary residence certificates and PPSNs are allocated quickly and that financial supports are provided without delay.  A number of additional dedicated centres are being set up at locations across the country including in Dublin, Cork and Limerick city centres.  The Department's network of Intreo and local offices are also being used to help people from Ukraine who arrive in the country.  

People who are covered by the Temporary Directive are eligible for financial support initially under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.  These people are deemed to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition and their means are assessed as nil.  Applications are being fast tracked to ensure payments are made as quickly as possible.  Thereafter arrangements will be made to approve the appropriate primary social welfare payments.  We have also arranged for payments such as child benefit to be made within a very short period. 

Interpretation services are available in person at the reception centre in Dublin Airport and in many of our offices and are also available by phone if required to assist Ukrainian citizens to access my Department’s services.  Application forms and information on supports are bring made available in a number of languages.  

Top
Share