Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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500. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way that her Department will ensure that the recipients of the proposed payment of €400 to households who offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees will not affect the means testing of income for social assistance payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24573/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is providing ongoing support and services to assist people covered by the Temporary Protection Directive who are fleeing Ukraine and who arrive in Ireland, such as the provision of PPSNs and income supports.

Currently, where a recipient of a means tested social assistance payment provides accommodation in their own home, any rental payment received in exchange will be assessed in the means test for their social assistance payment and could affect their weekly rate of payment.

In addition, entitlement to secondary benefits such as Fuel Allowance or Living Alone Allowance may be affected due to changes in household composition.

With this in mind, I am bringing forward proposals for Government's consideration which will ensure that persons who offer accommodation to Ukrainians do not see their social welfare payments adversely impacted in any way.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.