Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
623. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review the case of a family (details supplied); the supports available to the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27973/26]
View answerIn the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, I can confirm that it is possible to voluntarily withdraw temporary protection in another EU Member State and seek to benefit from its protection in Ireland. However, it is important to note that temporary protection is not a permanent permission and only allows a beneficiary to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive, which is currently in place across the EU until 4 March 2027.
Should a person wish to reside in Ireland on a longer-term basis, they will find information on the different immigration permissions at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/information-on-registering/immigration-permission-stamps/.
Since September 2025, people with temporary protection who arrived in Ireland before March 2024, and who are not already in state-contracted commercial accommodation, are not eligible to take up new state-contracted commercial accommodation. This means that people who may have been in accommodation but have since left cannot avail of a second offer of state-contracted commercial accommodation. This also applies to people who arrived before March 2024 and did not take up state-contracted commercial accommodation to date. Therefore, the people in question would not be able to access commercial accommodation contracted by my Department.
My Department has no role in private arrangements and cannot assist with long-term housing issues. However, a range of measures have been provided to support people with temporary protection to make independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for their duration of their temporary protection.
Those granted temporary protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements for accommodation through their own means, using supports provided by the Department of Social Protection or by asking their Local Authority or Irish Red Cross for alternative hosted accommodation. Those wishing to avail of hosted accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at migrationcrisis@redcross.ie or by phoning 1800 753 343. Details regarding the Offer a Home scheme can be found under www.offerahome.ie.
They may also explore private rented accommodation either through their own means or with the assistance of Rent Supplement, if eligible. Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment administered by the Department of Social Protection to help meet the cost of private rented accommodation. The local Department of Social Protection office may be able to provide further information relating to Rent Supplement. Contact details for the local offices can be found on www.gov.ie/en/directory/category/e1f4b5-intreo-offices/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/service/40cf48-find-your-local-intreo-office/.
