Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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166. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the meeting of a group (details supplied) and officials from his Department on 30 September 2022 which despite repeated requests from the representative group no follow up has been provided. [5046/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Deputy, as of 22 January 2023, there are over 19,800 people accommodated in the IPAS accommodation system as a whole. This includes the National Reception Centre and IPAS accommodation centres, City West transit hub and emergency accommodation locations nationwide.

At this point in 2022, there were approximately 7,500 persons in IPAS accommodation. 

In regard to your query, following a meeting between Department officials and community representatives on 30 September 2022, the property's use was changed from that of accommodating International Protection applicants (IPAs) to one of accommodating Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.  A significant proportion of the IPAs have since been moved to other locations and represent only a quarter of residents presently.  All IPAs are scheduled to be relocated once suitable accommodation becomes available.  

Unfortunately, due to the current acute difficulty in securing alternative accommodation, it has not been possible to complete this process but it will be done as soon as is feasible.  

The challenge of sourcing accommodation for over 74,000 people, between people fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking international protection, is immense. The Department is managing the largest humanitarian response ever mounted in the history of the State.

The Department appreciates the welcome and solidarity shown by so many Irish people in every county in Ireland for those who need safety and shelter, including from those in Kinnegad.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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167. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any allowance for utility bills can be made for those who are hosting refugees in their homes given the rising costs of energy bills and the pressure this is creating for many families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5111/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Matters concerned with household energy bills are for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The Deputy may be aware that the Accommodation Recognition Payment, set at €800 per month, is available to those homeowners who have made their property, either in part or in full, available to house people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since March 2022. The payment is exempt for means-testing for social welfare payments and grants from other public bodies. It is also not taxable.