Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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That is a lovely illustration of the extent to which communities across the country are coming together to support Ukrainians.

I asked an official about the employment accessibility of the early years sector after the Chairman raised the matter in the Dáil. I received a detailed answer that I forgot to send to her. I apologise for that and will sent it to her today.

The recognition payment is a flat amount of €400 per month. That is the flat fee irrespective of whether one Ukrainian or a number of Ukrainians are staying in a household. It is also irrespective of whether it is shared accommodation or vacant accommodation. Only one amount is available. It is an opt-in scheme. A significant number of people probably do not want to take this payment and feel they are doing this out of solidarity. We also felt it was important to recognise, particularly in the context of cost-of-living pressures, that there are additional costs to someone living in one's house and we wanted to provide this recognition and support. It is contingent on agreeing that the individual or family concerned will live in the household for at least six months. There is a request included that the Ukrainian individual would live with whoever is supplying the accommodation for at least six months. If those Ukrainians are staying for a longer period, the payment will continue for that period.

The payment requires legislation and that will happen in the Bill I mentioned earlier. It will probably be the middle of July before people are able to draw down the payment but it will be backdated to a date set out in the legislation. It will recognise that families and individuals have had Ukrainians living with them prior to that date but it will be the middle or the end of July before the payment is made.

The payment is not taxable and it does not interfere with the allocation of any social welfare benefits. Applicants must have tax clearance and must provide the personal public service numbers of the person claiming the payment and the Ukrainian displaced persons. An Eircode postcode is also required. There will be a penalty in the event of fraud, not that we are expecting it, and that will be provided for in the legislation. I think those are the key pieces of information.