Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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269. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the legal basis on which non-means-tested benefits are being provided to Ukrainian nationals in a manner that appears to contravene the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38333/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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270. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to explain, in terms of non-means-tested benefits being provided to Ukrainian nationals, how the Government justifies this preferential treatment, which results in unequal and potentially discriminatory treatment of Irish citizens, who contribute to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38335/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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271. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to explain, in terms of non-means-tested benefits being provided to Ukrainian nationals, what steps will be taken to rectify this disparity and ensure that there is equality of access to supports for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38337/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 269, 270 and 271 together.

In light of the extension by the EU of the operation of the Temporary Protection Directive to the war in Ukraine, the Government agreed on 12 December 2023 to amend its accommodation and income support offering for newly arriving beneficiaries of temporary protection to more closely align with supports in other EU Member States and to ensure Ireland can continue to meet its obligations under the Temporary Protection Directive.

The Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 was enacted to give effect to these changes. The Act includes amendments to section 60(10)(b) of the International Protection Act 2015 to remove the equivalence with Irish citizens in terms of accessing social welfare benefits for those residing in Designated Accommodation Centres, as well as amendments to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and the International Protection Act 2015 to provide for related matters.

From 14 March 2024, beneficiaries of temporary protection who reside in a Designated Accommodation Centre do not qualify for certain social assistance payments. A Designated Accommodation Centre is State provided accommodation designated by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth under law (section 60(10) of the International Protection Act 2015, as amended by section 11 of the Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024).

While resident in Designated Accommodation Centres, they are entitled to the Beneficiary of Temporary Protection Weekly Payment, a payment of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child, subject to an income test. Where beneficiaries are making a contribution towards the cost of their meals, their payment rate will reflect this. This scheme is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of my Department.

My Department does not pay benefits, whether means-tested or otherwise, to beneficiaries of temporary protection. The Deputy might wish to pursue the question with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.