Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
988. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection what checks are being carried out to ensure that recipients of social welfare payments who have temporary protection status are still living in the State when payments are being made into bank accounts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2000/24]
View answerIn accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive implemented in March 2022, people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted status to avail of the supports and services provided by my Department. Depending on the income support scheme applied for, people can be paid at a Post Office, or directly into their account in either a bank, in An Post or in a credit union.
Given the temporary and transitory nature of accommodation for many of the people fleeing the war in Ukraine, it has proven to be more practical in the short-term for some Temporary Protection jobseeker applications to be paid directly into an account by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). While the default payment method for this group of people remains cash collection at post offices, until the accommodation status of people availing of the Temporary Protection Directive can be established, the option to be paid directly into an account in a financial institution is available.
There are a number of control checks in place to ensure people continue to meet the conditions for the payment they are in receipt of. These checks include in person ‘signing-on’ for people in receipt of jobseekers payments, and projects to review cases where people are being paid into bank accounts.
The results of checks to date do not indicate abuse, and it is clear from the sign of life work undertaken by the Central Statistics Office that claims are being closed by claimants when they leave the country.
The future entitlements, including entitlement to payments, for newly arrived Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who avail of State accommodation and are assigned to designated accommodation centres are currently being revised. The payment methods that will be available to people are being considered as part of this process.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
