Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1141. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps that she is taking to ensure that Ukrainian refugees have access to social protection supports upon their arrival in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30556/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive implemented in March, people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted the status to avail of the supports and services, including income supports and employment services, provided by my Department.  This means that these citizens can work in Ireland and can access social services and the full range of social welfare supports.

A reception facility is operating at City West Convention Centre where officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are available to meet arrivals from Ukraine.  This centre is open 7 days a week. People who arrive through Dublin Airport are being transferred to City West. 

Anyone who does not arrive through Dublin Airport can call in to the Department’s dedicated City Centre Ukraine Support Centres, located in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, or into local Intreo Centres or Branch Offices where staff will help them to apply for a PPSN and income supports.

A fast-track approach in processing these supports is in place which includes a simplified decision-making process for income supports and quick processing of PPSNs to allow access to public services that will be provided to them.

A dedicated section on www.jobsireland.ie has been developed to provide information on employment opportunities for newly arrived Ukrainians.  This is available in Ukrainian and Russian.

Intreo staff are also attending information events organised by Education and Training Boards, Local Development Companies and Chambers of Commerce at which they provided information on the full range of income and employment support services.

Since mid-April the Department of Social Protection has been organising employment support engagement events for people fleeing the war to gather information on their education and skills and to provide information on vacancies and jobs.  These events are taking place in locations throughout the country in accommodation centres and in Intreo Offices.  These events will continue over the coming weeks.   

Up to and including Friday 10th June, 9,083 persons have attended these events which are being organised specifically for people who have arrived from Ukraine.  The full range of Intreo employment services is also available to Ukrainians.

The Department is also working closely with education and training boards to facilitate access to relevant training supports, including English language training.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1142. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of Ukrainian refugees who have availed of rent supplement by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30557/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons availing of protection in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

Rent supplement is a short-term income support which is means-tested.  It plays a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation.  The scheme was providing support to 11,295 recipients at the end of May 2022.

Rent Supplement is available on a flexible basis to support those availing of temporary protection in Ireland and who wish to access private rented accommodation.  There are 45 such households currently being supported with Rent Supplement.  In total, 48 households have availed of the support since the measure came into operation in February 2022.

Table 1 shows the number of recipients who have availed of Rent Supplement support, under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, by county to date.

Table 1 - The number of recipients who have availed of support under the EU Temporary Protection Directive by county to date.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.