Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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598. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those who have fled Ukraine to avoid the war but did so ahead of the EU Temporary Protection Directive will be eligible to access payments from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14192/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Certification under the Temporary Protection Directive is a matter for the Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice is working to put in place the practical arrangements to provide letters to people who arrived in Ireland prior to 9 March, when permission letters started to issue at Dublin Airport, as soon as possible. The arrangements will be communicated widely and people should be advised to continue to visit the Department of Justice website and the Irish Immigration website for regular updates.

In relation to income support, the Department of Social Protection will apply a common sense approach and, where required, people will be supported through Supplementary Welfare Allowance with the appropriate financial assistance. 

I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy. 

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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599. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who is in receipt of a living alone allowance will have the allowance protected if they take in refugees under the Irish Red Cross scheme proposed by Government for refugees from the Ukrainian conflict. [14214/22]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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613. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a single person who is in receipt of the living alone increase, the fuel allowance and a household benefit package will be able to keep these entitlements if they decide to take in a Ukrainian refugee family into their home (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14418/22]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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620. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons availing of the living alone allowance can retain that allowance if they provide accommodation to refugees fleeing Ukraine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14535/22]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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634. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons who are in receipt of the living alone allowance will lose the allowance if they were to accept Ukrainian refugees into their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14796/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 599, 613, 620 and 634 together.

The European Union has put in place a Temporary Protection Directive to allow Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Ukraine to move through the EU akin to EU citizens.  This Department will provide support and services to assist people covered by this Directive who are fleeing Ukraine and who arrive in Ireland.  As the situation is evolving, the Government will, of course, keep all aspects of the Department's various schemes under review to ensure that this cohort of people receive the supports and services they require.

Where a person in receipt of social welfare income supports (such as fuel allowance or the living alone allowance) provides accommodation in their home to a person fleeing Ukraine, the Department is developing the necessary changes to regulations or guidelines to ensure that providing such accommodation does not impact on the person’s existing social welfare entitlements.  Any necessary regulatory or other changes in this regard will be finalised shortly.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.