Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure if it is miscellaneous or the working age payments. The point on payments follows on from the point made by Deputy Ó Cuív about payments made to those from Ukraine. I seek clarity from the Minister. In the Dáil last week, when debating one of my amendments, she raised the possibility that one of my amendments might prevent the reduction of payments to people from Ukraine who are already here, though I do not believe it would. The Taoiseach subsequently stated that was not something that was anticipated at this point.

We previously had a discussion in the context of the legislation during which it was stated the temporary protection directive would come to a close in May. It is important to prepare for that. It is only fair to people who are already on payments to have a clear roadmap. At that point, people who are here under the directive will have the option to apply for visas or for international protection, depending on the situation in Ukraine at that time. If they were in the international protection system, they would be entitled to the international protection payments, similar to Ukrainians who arrived after the passing of that legislation and are in accommodation.

Will the Minister clarify the position? Is the Government examining this? How is the Department preparing for the end of the directive? What does it see as its role in terms of those applicants or claimants at the expiry of the protection directive?