Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
222. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for not allowing displaced Ukrainians resident in Ireland under the temporary protection directive to access the housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35558/22]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is leading the initial humanitarian response, including providing emergency and longer-term accommodation. As part of a whole-of-government response, DCEDIY is securing accommodation for arrivals through:
- hotels, guest houses and B&Bs;
- accommodation pledged by the general public;
- State-owned or private properties;
- religious properties; and
- local authority community facilities.
My Department is supporting this work, focusing on solutions to the longer-term accommodation challenges, including through a Housing Taskforce established by the Government for this purpose. Three pathways have emerged from the taskforce's work and are being pursued by Government:
- rapid delivery volumetric accommodation;
- use of vacant public and private buildings as multi-occupancy accommodation; and
- a Clearing House arrangement to examine measures to address constraints to residential and student accommodation development, and related local infrastructure required to facilitate housing.
Government continues to examine accommodation issues arising and appropriate responses to address these.
Given the large number of persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine and seeking temporary accommodation, it is considered best to provide such accommodation outside the social housing system. Accordingly, there are no plans to extend the Housing Assistance Payment to persons arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive. That said, Rent Supplement is available through the Department of Social Protection subject to normal qualifying conditions.
