Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

417. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total costs arising from refugees from Ukraine in 2022, including accommodation, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49397/23]

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

I am advised by my officials that the total expenditure in 2022 by my Department on the Ukraine crisis since the Russian invasion in February 2022 is €522 m. Of this, approx. €430m was on DCEDIY-provided accommodation alone. Further costs included the operation of the CityWest transport hub, Local Authority accommodation, pledged supports, transport, facilities management and staff costs. Staffing costs for DCEDIY’s Ukraine Division in 2022 was approximately €1.8m.

While my Department holds responsibility for the provision of immediate temporary accommodation, other Departments and Agencies are also involved in the whole of government response to this crisis which is coordinated by the Department of Taoiseach. The Deputy might address the matters relating to the assistance of payments and health benefits to the relevant Departments.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

418. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total costs of maintaining all asylum seekers in Ireland (excluding those from Ukraine) in each year from 2016 to 2022, including the cost of accommodation, allowances, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49398/23]

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

The total spend on International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation in 2022 was €356,554,000. There were 19,202 people in IPAS accommodation on 31 December 2022. At a year-end average of overall cost divided by the number of people residing in IPAS accommodation, the average annual figure for keeping an international protection applicant (IPA) in IPAS accommodation for one year was €18,568.59.

The number of people who are resident in IPAS accommodation will vary day to day throughout the year as the number of daily arrivals increase on a cumulative basis. 2022 has seen a major increase in this respect, with 2023 seeing similar trends.

Those seeking asylum in Ireland must make an application for international protection. While that claim is being examined by the International Protection Office, IPAS provides accommodation and related services to IPAs who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State.

Services for all International Protection applicants, including healthcare, are mainstreamed, and accessed through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens. Residents in accommodation centres access GP services within the local community, and mental health services are accessed through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens – that is, through primary care, GP referral and emergency services.

IPAS liaise with the HSE in relation to how best to meet the health and related needs of International Protection applicants in IPAS centres, and the HSE Social Inclusion Outreach Team attend the centre regularly to provide healthcare assistance and arrange GP appointments for residents.

A weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person. In 2021 this was increased to €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children.

Should an IPA require additional support, they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment. These are paid under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection. An Additional Needs Payment application is reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) who makes a decision based on the individual's circumstances. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis.

Please see in tabular format, the costs associated with accommodating IPAs, each year from 2016 to 2022.

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

The standard contract period for the provision of accommodation for BOTPs is currently 12 months in general, although this can differ based on my Department’s requirements, and the preference of the providers. The criteria for extension of accommodation contracts include compliance with all health and safety and insurance requirements, the capacity of the contract, and agreement of fair and reasonable rates.