Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are available for people currently seeking international protection who are unaccommodated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25933/23]
View answerAs at 24 May the Department has been unable to offer accommodation to 217 international protection applicants (IPAs). Since 24 January, a total of 1063 people who were previously unaccommodated have subsequently been offered accommodation
All IPAs who cannot be accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) are registered at the International Protection Office (IPO), have their contact details recorded and are provided with an initial food voucher to the value of €50 and then they receive a weekly voucher for €50 which is paid fortnightly at present.
A payment equivalent to the Daily Expense Allowance payments has also now commenced for those IPAs who are unaccommodated and has been backdated to the date of arrival.
They receive information relating to homeless day services.
IPAS has an agreement in place with Mendicity to make its drop in services available to non-accommodated persons including information, a meal, Wi-FI and shelter. As well as the Capuchin Day Centre, Merchant's Quay Ireland and Tiglin have also agreed to make their services available to unaccommodated persons. Merchant's Quay Ireland has also arranged with Safetynet for weekly clinics to be provided to unaccommodated persons.
IPAs who have an additional financial need can also apply for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Scheme.
