Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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1493.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position in relation to the payment of the accommodation recognition payment for Ukrainian families to two charities in County Cork (details supplied); if he will ensure these payments can be continued in order that the families retain their accommodation[35417/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I am advised by my officials that the properties to which the Deputy refers are not currently in receipt of an Accommodation Recognition Payment. These properties are however receiving payments from my Department under contract as self-catering accommodation centres providing accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).

In May 2024, Government agreed to bring equivalence of treatment between BOTPs who arrived in Ireland before and after 14 March and who are living in full board State provided accommodation where meals and utilities are provided. Those residents in BOTP self-catering accommodation centres where meals are not provided are not impacted by this change at this time.

Government has now agreed on a plan to implement this decision and these changes to social welfare payments for people who are beneficiaries of temporary protection will begin on 9 September 2024. Premises where the new arrangements will apply have been designated as Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs).

From 9 September, standard social assistance payments will no longer be available to people while they are resident in DACs. Instead, they will be entitled to a net weekly payment of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child, subject to an income test. Entitlement to Child Benefit and the Working Family payment is not affected and residents continue to have access to accommodation, healthcare and education, if needed. BOTPs will receive their first reduced payment on Thursday 12 September.

Those who are paying a contribution towards their meals will have this amount included in their new payment.

The people impacted by these changes have received letters from the Department of Social Protection to advise them of the changes and what it will mean for them. Posters have also been sent to the relevant accommodation centres in three languages about the upcoming changes.

The reason for this decision, taken by the Cabinet in May, is to introduce equivalence, in as far as is possible, between those beneficiaries who arrived in Ireland before and those who arrived after 14 March this year, and who are in full board State-funded accommodation.

These changes are also necessary so that Ireland can continue to ensure a proportionate and sustainable approach to providing humanitarian support.

Further details are available atwww.gov.ie/ukraineand information on the payment changes is available atwww.gov.ie/botp.