Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2023
240. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an accommodation provider for Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) who is experiencing financial difficulties will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9298/23]
View answerMy Department has engaged over 700 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, I temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.
My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that one payment was issued on 3rd of February 2023 to the company mentioned in the Details Supplied and a further payment is expected to issue in the coming week, pending final checks. The outstanding invoices are currently being prioritised for payment.
