Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To say to the Deputy again, the discussions at EU level have a way to go. As for my Department, whether during the pandemic, the response to the war in Ukraine or the various cost-of-living payments we have made, the Department of Social Protection can react and respond quickly and that is what it will do. We cannot predict the future here. We have to see how the discussions play out at EU level. If there was no temporary protection status then I would expect that the existing regime would apply. That means a person would have to seek provision to remain under the standard international protection arrangements or possibly through the work permit system. In respect of social welfare payments, the standard habitual residency clause would apply and there are guidelines around that. There is a bit to go yet and we want to stay in sync with our European colleagues. The Minister for Justice is engaging at a European level on this particular matter.

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