Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has conducted a socio-economic impact assessment in relation to the accommodation recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39108/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department has not conducted a socioeconomic impact assessment in relation to the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme.

However, before considering extending the scheme, which ends in March 2025, my Department consulted its key pledge stakeholders; the Irish Red Cross, the International Organisation for Migration and the Local Government Management Agency, via survey and facilitated discussion, as well as the Ukraine Civil Society and Action Forums through a survey only.

These consultations concluded that ARP has been instrumental in increasing the number of pledged units available for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and diverting them away from state procured accommodation and the private rental sector.

These consultations also concluded that the scheme end date should be extended in line with the recent extension of the Temporary Protection Directive to March 2026 to maintain a supply of non-state accommodation for BOTPs.

In addition, stakeholders have highlighted that the monthly payment of €800 has assisted in the retention and extension of pledges. This scheme has also proved to be a cost-effective solution for the State.

The legislation that established the ARP, the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, requires me to consult with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if extending the scheme termination date, and to have regard to the need to continue to make provision for a financial contribution to assist in increasing the availability of accommodation for BOTPs.

The Act of 2022 also requires, where such an order is proposed to be made, that a draft of the order be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas.