Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2024
314. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if exemptions are in place for pensioners, disabled people or other groups in relation to the recently announced changes to the supports to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. [23674/24]
View answerThe Government has recently implemented changes in terms of providing suitable but sustainable support to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). Following the introduction of new legislation in March, newly arrived BOTPs in designated accommodation receive €38.80 per week if they are over 18 years of age and €29.80 per week if they are under 18 years of age.
The Government has now decided to bring greater equity to the welfare supports being provided to BOTPs. It has been decided that BOTPs in state-provided fully serviced accommodation, designated by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, will receive the same level of payment regardless of when they arrived.
Officials from my Department and from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are working on the operational arrangements to give effect to this change, with an estimated 12 week lead-in time to allow details to be finalised and notice to be provided to the people affected.
This change will apply to BOTPs in designated fully serviced accommodation in receipt of any of the Department's social assistance schemes.
