Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a requirement for Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection to collect their social welfare payments in post offices in line with changes implemented in January 2021 for jobseeker’s payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28238/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive implemented in March 2022, people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted status to avail of the supports and services provided by my Department. 

Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing the war are eligible for financial support.  Initially, they are being paid on a temporary basis under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance schemes.

To allow payments to be made as quickly as possible, all applications for income support were initially set up to be paid in cash at post offices.  Cash payments at post offices are one of the two main payment method options provided by my Department. 

People can also be paid directly into their account in either a bank, in An Post or in a credit union.  The Department’s policy is, where possible, to offer people the choice of being paid in cash at the post office or directly into an account in a financial institution of their choosing.

Given the temporary and transitory nature of accommodation for many of the people fleeing the war in Ukraine, it has proven to be more practical in the short-term for some Temporary Protection applications to be paid directly into an account by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).  While the default payment method for this group of people remains cash collection at post offices, until the accommodation status of people availing of the Temporary Protection Directive can be established, the option to be paid directly in to an account in a financial institution is available.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the checks that are in place to ensure that social welfare payments cease when Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection leave the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28244/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It is important that a person in receipt of a Social Welfare benefit or payment informs the Department of any change in their circumstances that may affect their entitlement.  

Payments such as Supplementary Welfare Allowance or Jobseekers Allowance are not payable in respect of periods where a person is absent, whether temporarily or permanently, from the State.  However, there are administrative arrangements in place for payments to be made for up to two weeks in any calendar year in respect of periods where a person leaves the state for, for example, a holiday or a family emergency.  A person should inform the Department of their proposed absence in advance of travel.  Their payment will then be suspended and paid when they return.

Where a person is going to be absent from the state for a period of more than two weeks they should close their claim and they can reapply for income support on their return.

In addition the Department carries out a range of control activities designed to ensure that only those who are entitled to receive a payment or benefit do so.  These include asking people to confirm their eligibility in person, and on an ongoing basis.

I hope this is of assistance to the Deputy.