Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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184. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has considered expanding the €800 scheme for pledged accommodation for Ukrainian refugees to become available for social housing applicants; if the rate of payment would be increased in such a scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20097/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Pledge a Spare Room Scheme is managed by the Irish Red Cross (IRC) on behalf of the Department of Children, Equability, Disability, Integration, and Youth (DCEDIY) which is the lead Department in the provision of accommodation and associated supports for Beneficiaries of International Protection (BoTPs) from Ukraine.

Social housing is a long-term support intended to support households that have continuing, long-term difficulty meeting their own accommodation needs. Housing for All commits to deliver an average of at least 33,000 new homes annually, including an average of 10,000 social homes and 6,000 affordable homes for purchase or for rent. This year, €5bn of capital investment is available to support the delivery of housing. This funding will ensure the Government can continue to build on the momentum achieved since the publication of the Plan in September 2021.

Households eligible for social housing support can also access the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), which allows eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.