Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
14. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that are being taken to ensure that Ukrainian refugees can access the supplementary welfare allowance and child benefit quickly upon their arrival in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14468/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWill the Minister outline what steps are being taken or are in place to ensure Ukrainian refugees can access the supplementary welfare allowance and child benefit quickly upon their arrival in Ireland? Will she make a statement on the matter?
On 4 March 2022, the Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the implementing decision regarding the temporary protection directive to protect and support Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Ukraine. My Department is doing all it can to ensure that those who need our help will receive it as quickly as possible during this very traumatic time for them.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Justice, which is responsible for providing the letter to those arriving confirming that they are covered by the EU directive. Officials from my Department and the Department of Justice are currently based in Dublin Airport in a sort of one-stop shop to meet with those who have arrived from the Ukraine, where they will go through the processes with them to ensure the supports are made available quickly. My Department has also established a number of additional dedicated centres in Dublin and Cork cities and intends to open a further centre in Limerick. Community welfare officers and interpreters are available at all these centres.
Three key supports are immediately available from my Department, the first of which is to provide a personal public service number, PPSN, in order for people to access Government public services. That is the key to get them in to get the full suite of supports. The next thing we want to give them is some money in their pockets. They will get access immediately to the supplementary welfare allowance, which is payable at the rate of €206 per week. Qualified adults will also get the increases if they have children. A person will get also get access to child benefit if he or she is a parent or guardian of a child.
A dedicated web page has been published on my Department’s website to ensure those arriving from Ukraine are aware of the supports and services available to them. The web page is entitled "Social welfare supports for those arriving from Ukraine under the EU temporary protection directive". The information on the web page is in English, Ukrainian and Russian. There is a list of all the locations of all the Intreo centres. When people get the approval to get the payment, they go to their local post office and get the money there. The post offices are very willing to help in this regard as well.
All income support claims are being fast-tracked for processing and all resources are being made available to ensure PPSNs and payments are issued quickly. I thank the staff who are in Dublin Airport at the minute. It is not an easy job. I thank the staff of the Department of Social Protection in all the places around the country.
