Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

211. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current payments that are available to assist Ukrainian refugees with various costs including rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35231/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

The priority for my Department is to make payments as quickly as possible and to put arrangements in place to pay the most appropriate social welfare payment such as Jobseekers, One Parent Family Payment, Working Family payment, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Disability Allowance or State pension non-contributory to people arriving from Ukraine. A fast-track approach in processing these supports is in place which includes a simplified decision-making process and quick processing of PPSNs to allow access to public services.

As of 26th June the Department of Social Protection has allocated 40,330 Public Personal Service Numbers (PPSNs) to people who have arrived in Ireland having fled the war in Ukraine. Just under 19,980 income support claims have been awarded across various social welfare schemes supporting 34,875 people. Furthermore, 8,415 Child Benefit claims have been processed in respect of 12,487 children.

People may also apply for additional financial supports under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme which is available through the Community Welfare Service at the local Intreo office. Supports available include Additional Needs Payments and Rent Supplement if appropriate.

The Additional Needs Payment is a payment to help with an expense that cannot be paid from weekly income. It can be paid to people who are working and on a low income or getting a social welfare payment. The type of expenses for which payment can be made include help towards the increased cost of fuel or electricity, assistance towards deposits for private rented accommodation, furniture, bedding and travel to frequent hospital appointments. Up to 25 June 2022 a total of 8,482 of these payments were made to people covered by the Temporary Protection Directive.

Rent Supplement, which is a means-tested payment, is immediately available to qualifying people living in private rented accommodation who cannot provide for the cost of their accommodation from their own resources. A number of the qualifying conditions have been relaxed for people covered by the Temporary Protection Directive.

Also, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is available to meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school.

Information is available on the Government website in relation to all the supports available from my Department. This information is also published in the Ukrainian and Russian languages. Interpretive services are also available at the dedicated Ukraine Support Centres in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and can also be accessed at social welfare offices.

I trust that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on HHB for over 492,000 customers. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

At the end of 2021, the Household Benefits package was paid to some 484,000 recipients and the Fuel allowance to some 375,000 recipients. The number of these households in receipt of both the Household Benefits package and the Fuel Allowance scheme was some 210,000. Based on 274,000 households receiving the increased rate of HHB at an additional yearly cost of €420 per household, the estimated costs of doubling the electricity or gas allowance component of the HHB package for a full year for those not in receipt of the fuel allowance would be in the region of €115 million.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.