Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is concerned that the extension of payments under the accommodation recognition grant for a further year without changes risks interference with the private rental market, with negative consequences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9725/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that I am currently in the process of extending the termination date of the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme to March 2025 to mirror the extension by the EU of the Temporary Protection Directive as it applies to the war in Ukraine.
In making an Order to extend the scheme, I am required under the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Act of 2022) to have regard to the need to continue to make provision for a financial contribution to assist in increasing the availability of accommodation for temporary protection beneficiaries.
This scheme is important because it has diverted Ukrainian individuals and families away from State-supported accommodation, which is often in hotels and guesthouses and which are generally unsuitable for long-term stays, particularly for families raising children.
The ARP is currently paid to over 10,600 hosts supporting the accommodation of almost 22,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP) around the country. It is far more cost-effective to the Exchequer than procurement from the commercial/ serviced accommodation sector. Furthermore, it allows Ukrainians to have greater independence in moving out of State accommodation.
There is no definitive evidence that the ARP has a displacement effect on the rental market. There may be examples of the type outlined by the Deputy in our Dáil debate last week on this matter. However, the majority of properties hosting BOTP, particularly those arranged through the Irish Red Cross pledge and the Offer a Home scheme operated by local authorities, were not previously and are unlikely to be available in the private rental market. These properties are generally made available to displaced persons from Ukraine as a humanitarian gesture and the ARP recognises that generosity.
I appreciate there are significant pressures in the private rental market. I will continue to keep the operation of the Scheme under review.
