Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
49. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the role that local Intreo offices are playing in facilitating Ukrainians coming to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55 EC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14883/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection is prioritising the allocation of Public Personal Service numbers (PPSNs) to people arriving from Ukraine and the immediate provision of income supports. A fast track approach in processing these supports has been put in place which includes a simplified decision making process and quick processing of PPSNs to allow people access to public services.
Officials from my Department and the Department of Justice are in Dublin Airport and other entry points to meet with people arriving from Ukraine to ensure that temporary residence certificates and PPSNs are allocated quickly and that financial supports are provided. To further support this process the Department has also established a number of dedicated centres in Dublin and Cork cities and intends to open a further centre in Limerick this week.
Those who have already arrived in the country or arrive without coming through a reception centre are invited to call into their local Intreo or local office to apply for a personal public service number, supplementary welfare allowance and child benefit if applicable.
The aim in all settings is to process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible to provide immediate financial assistance to these people. Thereafter arrangements will be made to approve the appropriate primary social welfare payments. We have also arranged for payments such as child benefit to be made within a very short period.
People will be eligible for financial support initially under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing the war who are covered by the Directive are deemed to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition, or HRC, and their means are assessed as nil.
