Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
808. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if all Ukrainian refugees who sought protection here and are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance are required to engage with Intreo in relation to seeking work, be available for work, and engage with activation services under the same conditions as all other JSA recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15309/24]
View answerIn March 2022, the EU adopted the Temporary Protection Directive, which allows people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Directive to move through the EU as EU citizens. They are also entitled to avail of income supports from my Department.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who are in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance are subject to the same eligibility conditions as all other recipients, including the requirement to be available for and seeking work, and to ‘sign on’ to certify their continuing entitlement.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who are in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance are fully integrated into the standard employment service process on the same basis as all recipients of a jobseeker payment. Engagement is mandatory and is focused on supporting recipients to secure sustainable employment.
Since February 2022, Intreo Employment Services has delivered over 57,000 One to One appointments and 2,025 Group Information Sessions to c 37,000 working age Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Long term unemployed Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are referred to Intreo Partners, the National Employment Service.
At the end of February 2024, Revenue records indicated that 17,655 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are in active employment.
From 11th March 2024 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who arrive into Ireland and who are accommodated in Designated Accommodation Centres receive a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection Weekly Payment of €38.80 per week for each adult and €29.80 for each child up to the age of 18 years of age. Engagement with Intreo Employment Services is also mandatory for those of working age in this group.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
