Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is prioritising the allocation of Public Personal Service numbers, or PPSNs, to people arriving from Ukraine and the immediate provision of income supports. 

A fast track approach in processing these supports has been put in place which includes a simplified decision making process and quick processing of PPSNs to allow people access to public services.  The aim is to process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible to provide immediate financial assistance.  Thereafter arrangements will be made to approve the appropriate primary social welfare payments.  We have also arranged for payments such as child benefit to be made within a very short period.

People will be eligible for financial support initially under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.  Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing the war who are covered by the Directive are deemed to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition, or HRC, and their means are assessed as nil.

A reception centre has been set up in Dublin Airport where officials from my Department and the Department of Justice are available to meet people fleeing the war in Ukraine.  My Department has also established a number of additional dedicated centres in Dublin and Cork cities and intends to open a further centre in Limerick this week.  Community Welfare Officers and Interpreters are available at all of these centres.  Department staff are also meeting people arriving on the ferry at Rosslare port and are reaching out to visit people accommodated in hotels provided by the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration.