Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kenny. We have about 21,000 people living in international protection accommodation. About 5,000 of them have status and they have status for different lengths of time. I know the Deputy is aware of the pressures our Department is under in terms of opening new accommodation for the significant number of people who have arrived. It is important we use the accommodation we have for those awaiting a determination of their status. Where people have a determination and have been given status, they are entitled to the full range of social welfare, housing supports, housing assistance payment, HAP, and rent supplements everyone is entitled to. The accommodation we provide is for those awaiting a decision on their international protection. We cannot allow them to remain there indefinitely. People who have been there significant periods of time with a determination of status are being asked to move on or are being provided with accommodation elsewhere.

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