Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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907. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, in light of the recent announcement that one in ten asylum seekers has no accommodation, there are plans to allow members of the public to offer a place to stay to those applying for asylum; if he envisages a payment to homeowners who provide accommodation similar to the accommodation recognition payment currently offered to people who provide a place for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12679/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department is not considering a scheme or payment for homeowners to offer accommodation to International Protection applicants.

The Accommodation Recognition Payment is a scheme to pay a financial contribution for the hosting of Temporary Protection Beneficiaries from Ukraine, as provided in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and does not provide for the provision of material reception conditions for International Protection applicants.

Work is ongoing to procure accommodation for International Protection applicants in centres across Ireland.

Over 5,000 persons currently accommodated in International Protection accommodation have status and have the same entitlements to accommodation as Irish nationals. They have access to homeless Housing Assistance Payment and to the services of the Peter McVerry Trust and De Paul to help them to move into accommodation in the community.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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908. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is the intention of his Department or IPAS to house refugees or asylum seekers in buildings in Bailieboro, County Cavan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12695/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The properties as stated are not known to International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) or Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT) and therefore have not been examined nor considered for use. A detailed assessment must take place before any property can be deemed suitable as accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs)/beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs).

IPAS will respond to all offers of accommodation made in due course.

The Department continues to explore all offers of accommodation for IPAs/ BOTP's in as far as it can. However, there remains an acute shortfall with respect to accommodation for single IPAs in particular.

I trust this information clarifies the matter.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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909. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports and services offered to international protection applicants who are not offered material reception conditions when requesting them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12697/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Daily expenses allowance is paid to persons who are accommodated in designated International Protection Accommodation Service centres. I have asked Minister Humphreys for the Department of Social Protection to make arrangements for the payment of a payment similar to the Daily Expenses Allowance to applicants for International Protection who are currently without IPAS accommodation. That Department is making the necessary arrangements to facilitate this request.

Since 23 January 2023, staff from the Department of Social Protection are also present in the IPO for the purposes of accepting applications for PPSNs. These arrangements apply to all applications from individuals applying for international protection, regardless of whether they have an address or not.

If a person is not in IPAS accommodation but indicates they have a need for financial support when they attend at an Intreo Centre to collect their PPSN, they can apply for an additional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Staff in Intreo Centres are aware of this and are available to assist with applications.

Those who are not accommodated are also offered food vouchers. The HSE is also providing access to health services through a facility in Dublin city centre.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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910. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if international protection applicants are entitled to the daily expenses allowance or any other payment or support if they are not given material reception conditions; the way in which they can access that payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12698/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Daily expenses allowance is paid to persons who are accommodated in designated International Protection Accommodation Service centres. I have asked Minister Humphreys for the Department of Social Protection to make arrangements for the payment of a payment similar to the Daily Expenses Allowance to applicants for International Protection who are currently without IPAS accommodation. That Department is making the necessary arrangements to facilitate this request.

Since 23 January 2023, staff from the Department of Social Protection are also present in the IPO for the purposes of accepting applications for PPSNs. These arrangements apply to all applications from individuals applying for international protection, regardless of whether they have an address or not.

If a person is not in IPAS accommodation but indicates they have a need for financial support when they attend at an Intreo Centre to collect their PPSN, they can apply for an additional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Staff in Intreo Centres are aware of this and are available to assist with applications.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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911. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if international protection applicants accommodated at a location (details supplied) are entitled to the daily expenses allowance or any payment or support; the way in which they can access that payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12699/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Deputy, Individuals who arrive in the country and seek International Protection (IP) attend at the International Protection Office (IPO) to make their initial application.

International Protection applicants (IPAs) who are currently residing in CityWest transit hub are entitled to claim the daily expenses payment which is administered by the Department of Social Protection.