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Ukraine War

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Ceisteanna (103, 110, 137)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

103. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s supports for Ukrainian nationals post-arrival; the number of PPS numbers allocated by age and gender in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24674/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

110. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s strategy in helping Ukrainian refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24329/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James O'Connor

Ceist:

137. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the updated number of Ukrainian refugees who have entered Ireland; the work being undertaken by her Department in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24651/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 110 and 137 together.

My Department is doing all it can to assist people who are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive which allows those fleeing Ukraine to move through the EU and receive appropriate supports.

My officials are at the Reception Facility at Dublin Airport helping people to apply for Personal Public Service Numbers to access key public services and assisting with applications for income supports. Anyone who does not meet our staff at the airport can call in to the Department’s dedicated Support Centres, located in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, or into local Intreo Centres or Branch Offices where staff will provide assistance in accessing available supports.

The priority for my Department is to make payments as quickly as possible and thereafter to put arrangements in place to pay the most appropriate social welfare payment such as One Parent Family Payment or State pension non-contributory to people fleeing Ukraine. People may also apply for additional supports including Exceptional Needs Payments and Rent Supplement if appropriate..

PPSNs are quickly processed with, as of 11th May just over 30,856 PPSNs allocated. A breakdown of the allocation by age and gender is provided hereunder:

Age Group

Male Age Group

Female Age Group

<1

154

136

1

229

192

2

218

208

3

248

240

4

291

281

5

306

273

6

343

339

7

375

355

08-12

1,841

1,735

13-17

1,636

1,554

18

127

296

19-25

610

2,088

26-35

1,256

4,052

36-45

1,191

4,448

46-55

587

2,063

56-65

456

1,423

66+

353

952

Totals

10,221

20,635

A simplified decision making process is in operation which has enabled 14,910 income support claims to be awarded up to the same period supporting over 26,000 people. Furthermore, 6,529 Child Benefit claims have been processed in respect of almost 9,700 children.

I am acutely aware of the importance of the provision of employment and training opportunities for Ukrainians in accordance with the Directive. Since mid-April my Department has been organising employment support engagement events for Ukrainians to gather information on their education and skills and to provide information on vacancies and jobs. To date almost 5,400 persons have attended these events specifically for Ukrainians.

Employment services are also available throughout the network of Intreo centres. The Jobs Ireland website also contains a dedicated section, in Ukrainian and Russian in relation to employment opportunities for newly arrived Ukrainians.

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