Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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967. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the accommodation recognition payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2727/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced to recognise the generosity of people who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) who arrived in Ireland after fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The ARP scheme is provided in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. In line with extensions of the EU Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), the ARP scheme was initially extended to 31 March 2024 and then to 31 March 2025.

As the TPD is now extended to March 2026, consideration is being given to the extension of the ARP scheme. Resolutions must be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before this Order is made. A decision will be reached in respect of the ARP shortly.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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968. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will consider a number of points raised (details supplied) in relation to the sale of a property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2739/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question.

In May 2024, the Department of Children sought Expressions of Interest to provide properties for purchase and offers are currently being assessed through a standardised process.

My Department is now exploring options to purchase a number of potential properties in line with the Government approved strategy.

These options remain in the early stages and I regret my Department is not in a position to provide any further information on this process at this time, due to commercial sensitivity and in the interest of achieving value for money for potential public funds.

Where any new IPAS accommodation centre is brought into operation, I assure the Deputy that the Department's Community Engagement Team is then in contact with local elected and community representatives to provide information and engage with local feedback and queries about the centre.