Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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723. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she intends to extend the accommodation recognition payment for those hosting Ukrainians; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7276/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme is currently in place until 31 March 2025.

The scheme was introduced to recognise the generosity of private individuals who provide accommodation on a humanitarian basis to beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine.

As the Temporary Protection Directive has been extended to 4 March 2026, consideration is being given to the extension of the scheme. A decision will be made shortly.

The legislation that established the scheme, 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 before I can make an order to extend the scheme termination date.

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 that the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas.

I believe that the scheme has made a positive impact in supporting beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine and towards their independent living and integration.

The scheme has supported my Department in meeting the accommodation needs of those fleeing the war, and has diverted thousands of beneficiaries away from State-supported accommodation, which are generally unsuitable for long-term stays, particularly for families raising children.

I am grateful to the thousands of people in Ireland who have hosted beneficiaries and continue to do so.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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724. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the immediate plans in place for the accommodation recognition scheme; if the scheme will be extended or suspended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7714/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme is currently in place until 31 March 2025.

The scheme was introduced to recognise the generosity of private individuals who provide accommodation on a humanitarian basis to beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine.

As the Temporary Protection Directive has been extended to 4 March 2026, consideration is being given to the extension of the scheme. A decision will be made shortly.

The legislation that established the scheme, 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 before I can make an order to extend the scheme termination date.

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 that the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas.

I believe that the scheme has made a positive impact in supporting beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine and towards their independent living and integration.

The scheme has supported my Department in meeting the accommodation needs of those fleeing the war, and has diverted thousands of beneficiaries away from State-supported accommodation, which are generally unsuitable for long-term stays, particularly for families raising children.

I am grateful to the thousands of people in Ireland who have hosted beneficiaries and continue to do so.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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725. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of properties currently contracted by the state to provide accommodation for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection; the total number of beneficiaries of temporary protection currently residing in these properties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7735/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.

All accommodation contracted by my Department is temporary in nature and subject to change, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting access to temporary accommodation.

Approximately 700 contracts are currently in operation providing State-contracted temporary accommodation to BOTPs fleeing the war in Ukraine. Currently contracted accommodation capacity includes beds in hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

As of 20th February 2025, the total number of BOTPs in State-contracted accommodation is 26,898.