Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no discrimination. A specific protocol was established for Dublin because, unfortunately, the problem of homelessness is more prevalent here than in other parts of the country. I reiterate that anyone in any part of the country who is experiencing homelessness can avail of weekly social welfare payments and supplementary welfare allowance payments through their local Intreo offices. Payments are maintained for a number of weeks until people can regularise their position with some sort of relatively normal accommodation through the homeless agencies around the country. Specific protocols have been established for Dublin because the Dublin divisions experience homelessness on a greater scale than other areas of the country. We are focusing on maintaining individuals' primary social welfare payments, as well as other services, such as those relating to activation, that they receive, while they are engaging with homeless services in Dublin. We want to ensure that they are in a position to regularise their accommodation. Our overarching principle is to ensure that the services of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, including weekly payments, are available to people in these circumstances. Our primary ambition is to help people to get back into employment, thereby enabling them to afford to look after themselves. It is not the case that people have to be in regular accommodation before they can get weekly payments. We will do everything we can to assist people to get into regular accommodation and to regularise their housing arrangements.

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