Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
379. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the consistency of support levels, accommodation provision, and financial assistance across different categories of protection applicants within the State; and if so, to provide details of such assessments. [33612/26]
View answerI understand from your question that you wish to ask whether the Department has undertaken any policy-level assessment of the consistency or variation in support levels, accommodation provision, and financial assistance across these groupings:
• Applicants accommodated within IPAS centres compared to those in own-door or emergency accommodation.
• Applicants at different stages of the protection process, including first instance, appeal, and leave to remain stages.
• Distinctions between single applicants and family units.
• Applicants with permission to work compared to newly arrived applicants.
• Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in comparison to international protection applicants.
The provision of accommodation and other benefits is not differentiated or grouped by the main categories set out above. As such, no analysis such as that set out in the question has been undertaken, but I am happy to provide background information to assist.
IPAS accommodation is provided for in EU regulations and transposed into Irish law. Statutory Instrument No 230/2018, European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, provides that all IP applicants are entitled to Material Reception Conditions.
This is defined as housing, food and associated benefits provided in kind, the daily expenses allowance (DEA), and clothing provided by way of financial allowance under section 201 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. DEA is currently set at €38.80 per week per adult and €29.80 per week per child.
This is set out in regulations that apply to all international protection applicants, and is generally not varied based on their stage of application or the type of accommodation IPAS allocates them to them.
IPAS provides an enhanced payment to applicants who cannot be offered accommodation, an extra €75 per week compared to those who are accommodated. IPAS also provides supports through arrangements with homeless day and outreach services.
The Temporary Protection Directive was invoked in 2022 in response to the displacement of Ukrainians following the Russian invasion of their country, and is provided for under separate regulations, with different provisions for people who qualify.
People who have fled the war in Ukraine and come here seeking temporary protection have been accommodated, but this is separate to the IPAS system. Details of the services provided to people who are beneficiaries of temporary protection are provided here.
Ireland's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/campaigns/irelands-response-to-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/
