Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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365. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to extending the accommodation recognition payment of €800 monthly in its current state until at least the end of the year in order to continue to support households which have taken in families fleeing from war; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10381/25]

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.

The payment is not made where there is a rental agreement in place, and it is not intended to substitute rent.

There are currently over 36,500 beneficiaries hosted under this scheme in over 19,500 properties nationwide.

Since the Scheme’s launch, approx. €255m has been paid to almost 22,500 hosts in respect of almost 50,500 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.

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