Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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335. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will extend housing assistance payments as outlined in correspondence (details supplied). [17832/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response. It is examining all options as part of its humanitarian response, including the accommodation issues arising in the short, medium and long-term and the appropriate responses to address these.

As part of its response, Government is currently providing accommodation through the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and is working closely with Local Authorities to provide accommodation for Ukrainian arrivals in a variety of settings including:

- Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs;

- Accommodation pledged by the general public, which is being assessed for suitability;

- State-owned or private properties, which may be suitable for short-term accommodation;

- Religious properties; and

- Local authority community facilities.

Regarding pledged accommodation, the Red Cross is the centre point for offers of assistance for accommodation coming in through local authorities or the public and will liaise directly with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on same. The Housing Assistance Payment or HAP is not available for accommodation pledged to the Irish Red Cross.