Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
462. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when IPAS will issue a payment to an accommodation provider (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has engaged over 700 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, I temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.
My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues, and outsourcing elements of the process to deliver further efficiencies. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that the outstanding invoice for this provider – covering September 2022 to February 2023 – is being processed as a priority. In addition, my officials are engaging with the provider to ensure that all documentation is in order to facilitate the necessary setup. A payment is expected to transfer at a point within two weeks, pending final checks.
