David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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144. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the rent supplement scheme can be used to assist Ukrainian nationals who are living in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive to avail of private rental accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33192/23]

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 and plays a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation. The scheme was providing support to 8,861 recipients at the end of May 2023.

Rent Supplement is available on a flexible basis to support those availing of temporary protection in Ireland. The standard rules for rent supplement under the Directive have been relaxed, where applicants do not have to satisfy the following criteria for entitlement to a rent supplement payment:

• have previously been in receipt of a rent supplement payment within 12 months of the date of application;
• have been renting for a period of six months (183 days) within the past 12 months of the date of application;
• register with the local housing authority to have their housing needs addressed.