Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

985. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the place finders service offered to individuals and families with leave to remain but trapped in direct provision; the number of such services; the location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13834/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

International Protection applicants (IPAs) who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals.

At the end of February 2023, there were 5,060 people with status living in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).

There are a number of supports available to persons with status to assist in accessing housing in the community when leaving accommodation centres. The Department has a specific team in IPAS who work in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the County and City Management Association to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to access housing options.

In relation to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) – the tools of Homeless HAP including the place finder service where applicable are available to those with status in IPAS accommodation once the Local Authority (LA) has assessed them as eligible for such. DePaul Ireland and Peter McVerry Trust give assistance as required to households with property searches, interviews, viewings. They also liaise with the appropriate Local Authority contact (including, where applicable, the Place Finder) to discuss local arrangements for processing of deposits, advance rent and scheme administration.

In addition to assisting with housing applications, both DePaul Ireland and the Peter McVerry Trust support the person’s integration into the community as fully as possible. This includes providing information about vocational and training courses, such as suitability, locations and eligibility, CV preparation and aid with medical issues, should they arise.