Written Answers Nos. 258-277
258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the immediate steps that are being taken to ensure the provision of a school place as close as possible to the family home suitable to meeting the requirements in the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38983/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the efforts that are being made to ensure the provision of an appropriate educational place for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38984/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the relevant support services, including NEPS and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) recently met with the parents in this case. All involved are working towards ensuring that the student can access a suitable placement as soon as possible.
I can also assure the Deputy that the NCSE will continue to be available to support this family throughout this process.
260. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the increase seen or expected in the back to school allowance as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39027/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra273. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the increase seen or expected in the back to school allowance as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39054/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 273 together.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The Government has provided €53.5m for the scheme in 2021 which operates from June to September.
The allowance is payable for eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child increase is being paid. It is also payable to those between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child increase is being paid.
Similar to previous years, the majority of customers were awarded BSCFA automatically and these customers were notified of their award by the 21 June. This year, over 111,000 families have been approved for the BSCFA in respect of 204,000 qualified children automatically. Payments amounting to approximately €42m are issuing to these families this week.
Customers who have not received notification of an automated payment will need to apply for BSCFA online on www.mywelfare.ie. Customers who are experiencing issues applying online for the BSCFA should phone the BSCFA contact centre on 071 9193318 or 0818 11 11 13 or email bscfa@welfare.ie and an officer will help the customer apply online or, if necessary, will issue an application form directly to the customer.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a qualifying payment for the BSCFA. Recipients of this payment will also need to satisfy all the other qualifying conditions in order to qualify.
The scheme opened to new applications on 21 June. In the first 3 weeks, 18,600 applications have been received. In the first 3 weeks in 2020, 23,600 applications were received. This represents a year on year decrease of applications received in the first 3 weeks of 21%. However, the online application opened on the 21 June this year compared to 6 July last year. It is too early at this stage to assess whether there will be an increase in applications due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The closing date to apply for this year's BSCFA is 30 September 2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
261. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the social insurance contribution record of a person (details supplied) in Ireland; if such contributions can be taken into account in determining pension entitlements in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38747/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Records Section of my Department is responsible for the maintenance and issuing of social insurance records in respect of social insurance contributors to the Irish social insurance system.
I can advise the Deputy that if the personal public service number (PPSN) of the person concerned is provided to the Records Section via the dedicated TD mailbox, ContributionHistoryRecords@welfare.ie, a statement of social insurance contributions will be issued promptly to the person concerned.
I am aware that an officer in the Records Section has contacted the Deputy's office to advise of the position.
As to the determination of pension entitlements under the UK social security system, the Pension Service in that jurisdiction would be in a position to advise on how a contributor's Irish social insurance contributions would be treated for pension purposes there.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
262. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the inequitable treatment of persons on invalidity pension that wish to move on to partial capacity benefit and to establish themselves as self-employed (details supplied); if these significant disincentives to taking up employment will be examined and addressed; and if the feasibility of applying similar rules to invalidity pension and partial capacity recipients as those that apply to persons on disability allowance will be examined. [38792/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA person may apply for whichever of the Department's schemes that best fits his or her needs and circumstances. He or she must satisfy the entitlement criteria and conditions for receipt to be granted payment.
Disability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is ‘substantially restricted’ in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable. Legislation provides that the DA means test takes account of the income and capital/assets of the person (and spouse/partner, if applicable) applying for the scheme. The scheme is also subject to a habitual residency requirement. In addition, where a person is in receipt of DA and they are earning above €140 per week from employment, their earnings are assessed as means, initially at 50% (for earnings between €140 and €350) and then at 100% for earnings above €350 per week.
Invalidity Pension (IP) is a pension paid to people who are ‘permanently incapable of work because of illness or disability. It is based on a claimant's social insurance contributions and medical conditions and is not means tested.
Persons in receipt of Invalidity Pension who wish to enter or re-enter employment or self-employment can apply for the Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB) scheme. PCB extends the Invalidity Pension scheme to respond to the reality that some people with disabilities have a capacity to engage in employment while continuing to need to receive some income support from the State. The personal rate of payment of PCB is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction, regarding their capacity for work. After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound their previous payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100%, respectively. PCB allows people to continue to receive a percentage of their Invalidity Pension payment while working. In addition, there is no restriction on the number of hours worked and there is no restriction on earnings. A person who participates on the PCB scheme may return to an Invalidity Pension payment if, for example, the employment ceases or if the person cannot continue to work.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market. The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises and supporting the first steps into self-employment for the long term unemployed. Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension are qualifying payments for receipt of the scheme. No paid employment is allowed outside the business as the customer is expected to devote 100% of their time to the business venture.
A person who avails of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme retains a percentage of their social welfare payment rate for up to 2 years. Applicants receive support through their DSP Intreo Case Officer, who will refer them to their Local Development Company (LDC) who assists them in discussing options and to explore the viability of their business idea. Once accepted onto the scheme, the person retains100% of their original payment in year one and 75% in year two. Customers in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension may retain any secondary benefits they were in receipt of prior to participation in the scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
263. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 878 of 15 June 2021, when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their carer’s allowance. [38813/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Where a person in receipt of full-rate CA has a qualified child they are entitled to claim an IQC at the following rates:
- Full-rate IQC is paid with CA where the applicant is parenting alone
- Half-rate IQC is paid with CA if the applicant has a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of full rate CA. According to the Department's records, the person concerned was married and living with her spouse. Therefore, IQCs were paid at half rate in respect of three qualified children.
Correspondence dated 24 May 2021 was received containing an affidavit confirming that the person concerned is separated and parenting alone.
A review of her claim commenced on receipt of this information.
The outcome of the review is that the person concerned has been awarded full rate IQC with effect from 24 September 2020.
Arrears of allowance from 24 September 2020 to 7 July 2021 issued to her nominated bank account on 8 July 2021.
The person concerned was notified of this outcome and of her right of review and/or appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
264. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the situation for undocumented workers in the hospitality, retail and service sector who have been in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment until now who may be called in for intermittent precarious days and hours of work and who may not be entitled to a jobseeker’s payment thereafter if they don’t receive ongoing days or hours employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38835/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as an emergency measure in the exceptional circumstances of Covid-19 to help cushion the financial impact on people temporarily laid-off work as a direct result of public health measures mandated by the Government. To date, over €8.2 billion has been paid to support people on the scheme.
As restrictions are lifted and the economy gradually reopens, the requirement for exceptional measures is diminishing and it is important that we transition from emergency pandemic supports to standard social welfare terms and entitlements.
The jobseeker schemes are the main income supports provided by my Department for people who are unable to find full time work. Jobseeker's Benefit is a social insurance payment based on a person's social insurance contributions paid from employment. Where a person does not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit, they may be eligible for support under the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. A person may work for up to three days per week and still receive a jobseeker payment.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme offers a safety net within the overall social welfare system and may provide assistance to those whose means are insufficient to meet their own needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under this scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
265. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the publishing of the report by the Commission on Pensions; and when she plans to publish the report of the Commission (details supplied). [38846/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment. The Commission was also asked in its Terms of Reference to examine the issue of retirement ages in employment contracts that are set below the State Pension qualifying age, and how to further accommodate long-term carers in the State Pensions system.
This is a major and complex body of work. The Commission has had 17 meetings, and held a public consultation process including a Stakeholder Forum. Details of the Commission's work can be found on its website, pensionscommission.gov.ie.
The Chairperson of the Commission has written to me to advise that the Commission plans to meet at the end of July to finalise its draft report. Some time will also be required after that to complete the report's production.
I look forward to receiving the report in due course. I anticipate that I will bring the Report to Government shortly after the summer recess. The intention is to publish the report at that time. In accordance with the Programme for Government, the Government intends to take action having regard to the recommendations of the Commission within six months of receiving the report.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
266. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff by location and function in each office of her Department nationally by location; if the property is State owned or leased; and the detail of these leases in the case of those properties on a lease in terms of cost, term and next break date. [38848/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease find two tables below.
267. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if the widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner (contributory) pension will be adjusted to make long-term partners eligible to receive the payment. [38872/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Widow’s, Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partner’s pension is paid to the husband, wife or surviving civil partner of a deceased person and is available to those who satisfy the necessary PRSI contribution conditions, either on their own record or on that of the deceased spouse or civil partner, provided the applicant is not cohabiting.
The legal context governing life-partnership relationships such as marriage or civil partnership is set out in various Civil Partnership, Marriage and Family Law Acts. Entering into a marriage or civil partnership is a legal act, which confers both rights and obligations on both parties that do not exist in law between cohabiting couples. Widows, widowers and surviving civil partners, who become bereaved, therefore, lose someone who had legal duties towards them, and the social welfare code recognises this by providing a pension to them, subject to certain conditions.
It was for these reasons that the social welfare supports for widows and widowers were extended to surviving civil partners from 1 January 2011, when the provisions of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 came into force.
Awarding widows pensions, or a similar benefit, to people who are not legally widows, widowers or surviving civil partners would involve a significant income support policy change and could also be very costly. The basis on which a person would become entitled to such a pension, would require significant consideration and raise complex legal and administrative challenges. Accordingly, any changes to eligibility criteria for widow's pension would need to be considered both in an overall policy and in a budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
268. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will disregard maintenance payments in the assessment of the working family payment in circumstances in which the court ordered payer is not making payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38897/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment is a weekly tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to people on low pay.
Currently, there are approximately 10,500 Working Family Payment customers who are in receipt of some form of maintenance. The average maintenance payment is €58.60 per week. As there is a housing disregard of €95.23 and only half the maintenance over this amount is assessed for income purposes, the majority of maintenance payments are already being disregarded.
If a maintenance payment ceases, the Working Family Payment customer should initially contact the Courts Service to inform them that they are no longer getting maintenance. However, as the pandemic is resulting in ongoing disruption to court services, the situation continues to be monitored to ensure that our customers do not have to face any further difficulties or hardship at this time.
Last year, the Government established a Child Maintenance Review Group, chaired by former Circuit Court Judge Catherine Murphy, to examine certain issues in relation to child maintenance in Ireland including the treatment of maintenance payments within the social welfare system. The Group's report is expected later this year.
269. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons awaiting determination of their application for a domiciliary care allowance; the current wait time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38898/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) section has a target of processing 90% of all new applications within a ten week timeframe. This target has been consistently achieved and exceeded every month since April 2020. As at the 30th June 2021, there were 1,852 claims awaiting decision and the average processing time was 8.5 weeks.
Processing times can be affected by the volume of applications received in a given timeframe and the availability of staff resources at that time. Claim processing activity is prioritised and the management of the DCA section in the Department monitor this activity on an ongoing basis and respond to any changes which impact on processing times.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
270. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons awaiting determination of their application for the children’s allowance; the current wait time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38899/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild benefit is the principal way the State assists families with the costs of raising children. It is paid in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years, or to the age of 18 in respect of children who are in full-time education or who have a disability.
The Department invites child benefit applications by contacting the parents of new born children, following receipt of a notification of a birth registration from the General Registrars Office (GRO) or auto processes the payment for the new baby where child benefit is already in payment to the family. The Department also processes claims where the children have been born outside the state or where a family move to Ireland.
There are currently 1,670 undecided Child Benefit claims on hand, 1,294 of those claims have been received in the last two weeks. The average processing time for a Child Benefit claim is 2 to 3 weeks.
The restoration of birth registration services following the recent cyber attack on the HSE has resulted in the Department dealing with a higher number of claims than normal in recent weeks. The processing of the delayed birth registrations will be prioritised by the Department as soon as they are received. Any arrears of payments due on claims will be included with the first payment of Child Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
271. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will furnish a detailed explanation for the significant difference in content of information in relation to the correspondence furnished to a person (details supplied) on 3 September 2020 and 1 July 2021, pertaining to their entitlement to a State pension (contributory); the reason for the difference in the treatment of their reckonable credited contributions for 2005 and 2006 in July 2021 when compared to record and treatment thereof furnished in September 2020; if same will now be reviewed further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 9 February 2020. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 898 qualifying full-rate paid and credited contributions from their date of entry into insurable employment on 8 November 1971 to end-December 2019.
This equates to a yearly average of 18 contributions, which gives an entitlement to a standard State pension (contributory) at 65% of the maximum rate. As the person concerned is financially better off on their current social welfare payment, their State pension (contributory) claim was withdrawn in favour of the higher payment. They were notified in writing of this decision on 8 January 2020.
Following a requested review, the person’s yearly average was recalculated as 20 which gives an entitlement to a standard State pension (contributory) at 85% of the maximum rate. The person’s current social welfare payment is still higher than their State pension (contributory) entitlement. They were notified in writing of this decision on 3 September 2020.
The person concerned contacted my Department on 8 June 2021 to advise that they wished to avail of their State pension (contributory).
The matter was referred to my Department's Central Records Section for a review of the person’s contribution record for the 2006 contribution year. One contribution had been recorded for 2006 at full-rate PRSI (Class A) which is reckonable for pension purposes. Change of status credits had consequently been awarded to the person’s record for the 2005 and 2006 contribution years. However, the 2006 Class A contribution was found to have been incorrectly awarded and was subsequently amended to Class D, corresponding to the modified rate payable during the person’s prior public service employment. Modified social insurance contributions are not reckonable for State pension purposes.
The change of status credits which were awarded for 2005 and 2006 were therefore no longer applicable and were removed. The person’s yearly average of 18 contributions and State pension (contributory) entitlement of 65% of the maximum rate is correct.
While State pension (contributory) was awarded to the person concerned on 1 July 2021 at 65% of the maximum rate, they are financially better off to remain on their current social welfare payment. An officer from my Department has been in contact with the person in this regard. I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
272. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of scam calls reported to her Department in view of the surge in fraudulent calls claiming to be from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39037/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of many reports that people have received one or more scam calls purporting to be from officials from this Department.
These fraudulent phone calls and text messages claim to be from the Department and are seeking personal information e.g. PPS number / Bank Account details. Other institutions have also been the target of similar fraudulent phone calls and texts e.g. Banks, Attorney General’s Office, An Post. The recipient of the scam call may or may not be in receipt of a social welfare payment.
The focus of the Department's response has been on the provision of information to the public so that they are aware that these calls are fraudulent and that the Department would not ask for details such as bank account details over the phone.
In addition, the Department is in regular contact with An Garda Síochána in relation to these scams. Where personal information has been shared by a member of the public and the Department is made aware of this, appropriate measures are taken to ensure that fraudulent claims are not made.
The Department is continuing to remind people to be alert to possible scam phone calls or scam text messages they may receive from a person claiming to be a Government official.
This is done via:-
- The Department’s social media channels and includes a video alert from Minister Humphreys.
- All Government Departments have been alerted to the scam and asked to share our social media messages on their social media channels also.
- A notification about such scams is published on the Department’s website.
- Raising staff awareness by placing a notification about such scams on the Department’s internal staff communications site.
- A warning message on the Department’s main phone number that a caller hears immediately on calling the Department.
- A Press Release specifically on these scams & the inclusion of a paragraph about such scams in the weekly PUP press release.
- A public information campaign to raise awareness of fraudulent calls and texts ran from 8 May to 14 May and from 22 May to 28 May. It featured a 60 second radio ad warning about potential scam calls claiming to be from the Department. It was broadcast on RTÉ Radio, Newstalk, Today FM, and a wide range of regional radio stations.
274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a one parent family allowance will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32814/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with standard practice, a review of One Parent Family Payment entitlement was undertaken in the case of the person concerned on 22/4/2021. The person concerned was asked to provide relevant information/documentation in order to complete this review. Payment was suspended when means could not be determined as certain information regarding a number of bank accounts was not provided by the person concerned when requested.
Payment was reinstated on 21/06/2021 when the required information was provided.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
275. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way the national standards for accommodation offered to persons in the protection process have operated since coming into effect at the start of 2021. [38796/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Standards, which came into force in January 2021, address a range of issues relating to accommodation; food and catering; individual, community and family life; health and wellbeing; governance; and meeting the special reception needs of applicants seeking international protection.
Independent living is central to the National Standards. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) defines independent living as accommodation which provides self-catering facilities to enable residents to choose and prepare their own meals; and the availability of separate living room space for families to conduct normal family life outside of a bedroom environment. Laundry facilities for the use residents must also be available. Of the 46 direct provision accommodation centres around the country, 35 provide the full suite of independent living facilities. 11 of these centres are mostly or entirely comprised of self-contained, own-door accommodation units. In addition, nine of the 24 emergency centres that are currently in use provide cooking facilities and two provide own-door accommodation.
Compliance with the National Standards can only be adequately measured through on-site assessment. My Department is currently working with HIQA to establish an independent monitoring mechanism to assess accommodation centres against the National Standards. My officials are currently examining whether legislative change will be required to put this in place. It is hoped that HIQA will be able to begin monitoring shortly. In the meantime, the current system of inspections will continue.
My officials are also developing a tender process to secure additional accommodation for families and single people seeking international protection. A central aim of this process is to improve the quality of the accommodation and services offered to international protection applicants during the transition period while the new model set out in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a new International Protection Support Service is being put in place. Any new accommodation centres secured through this process will be required to comply with the National Standards and, more broadly, to align with the aims of the White Paper.
276. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding restraints are affecting the availability of placements for young person's moving within the children’s residential network; if funding issues are affecting the availability of placements for young persons who are aging out of care or in aftercare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38834/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding restraint is not the issue with placing or moving children within the children's residential network. In some instances, the challenge is the availability of suitable placements to meet the specific complex needs of a small number of young people.
Over the past number of years there is an increasing number of eligible young people who are in receipt of Aftercare support and who require appropriate placement or accommodation. Additional funding was allocated in 2021 to bring the funding in line with 2020 demand, and while demand is still increasing the cost is met within the overall Tusla budget. Numbers and costs are monitored closely and reported nationally for monitoring and reporting.
277. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the asylum seekers being moved from Cork to Letterkenny despite the impact this will have on integration (details supplied); if they are being moved for own-door accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38837/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it will be ensured that all children and families in direct provision being moved from congregated hotel-style living are housed in own-door or independent living accommodation as close as possible to the community in which they have been residing. [38869/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will suspend the compulsory moving of five families from a direct provision congregated setting (details supplied) until own-door or independent living accommodation can be located within the community they have been residing in. [38870/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 279 and 280 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, I have recently announced my intention for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department to cease its reliance on temporary emergency accommodation for International Protection applicants by the end of this year; and moving residents to own door accommodation wherever possible. The provision of own-door accommodation represents a substantial improvement in terms of allowing families to attain independence, privacy and develop a normal family life while within the system.
These moves are in context of the wider Government commitment to end Direct Provision by the end of 2024 as set out in the “White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a new International Protection Support Service” that I published earlier this year. The provision of own-door accommodation for all applicant families is the goal of the White Paper.
The use of temporary emergency accommodation had to regrettably be continued for longer than anticipated due to the advent of the pandemic and the overriding need to ensure all residents could be accommodated in as safe an environment as possible. As a result some families, for whom the intention was that the use of temporary emergency accommodation would be brief, spent longer periods in this type of accommodation.
I understand that moving to a new location is difficult for any family, particularly those in the International Protection Process, but moving from emergency accommodation to own door accommodation will provide greater independence and privacy for the families in accommodation more appropriate to their needs.
Despite the efforts of IPAS officials, there is at present no other suitable accommodation for these families available to IPAS in the Munster region.
It is a requirement for IPAS to re-accommodate people from temporary emergency accommodation to dedicated IPAS accommodation centres as soon as appropriate vacancies become available, and as such no formal appeals process exists, however IPAS officials do engage with families individually where concerns emerge about an intended move. IPAS encourage any family with specific concerns about moving to their new accommodation to contact IPAS directly. The dedicated Resident Welfare team will be on hand to provide support throughout the moves.
I am absolutely committed to improving conditions for International Protection applicants in the accommodation provided by IPAS. To this end, IPAS a new dedicated Customer Service unit to engage with IPAS residents, as well as a new Resident’s Welfare Team were established earlier this year.
