2221. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to address the issues raised correspondence (details supplied); the supports available to make the transition into private accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61252/26]

2223. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to respond to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61164/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2221 and 2223 together.

Following the Government decision in May of this year, my department is progressing the next phase of withdrawal of state-supported commercial accommodation for people benefitting from Temporary Protection who arrived in Ireland before March 2024. This is being progressed on a phased basis over the coming months and people who are residents in state-supported Ukraine accommodation will be given a notice period on changes to their accommodation.

My department recognises that there will be people who, for various reasons may require continued accommodation which may be in an alternative setting. An application process has opened to people in these centres who can demonstrate that they continue to require temporary accommodation post-commercial accommodation wind-down. The self-declaration application process is open from August 4th – September 11th 2026 online. Successful applications will be offered accommodation in a designated accommodation centre. Anyone not availing of continued accommodation will be required to vacate the centres by the agreed date.

People with Temporary Protection continue to have access to public services in accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive and Irish law, including access to healthcare and, where eligible, social protection supports such as rent supplement administered by the relevant Departments.

Integration supports are provided by a number of stakeholders and supports will be further mobilised and coordinated to harness inputs and support the integration of people with Temporary Protection and to assist them in moving to independent living. Local Authorities coordinate the supports of wider agencies through their Community Integration Forums. Supports are provided by:

• The HSE on health

• Department of Social Protection on PPSN and Social Welfare supports

• Intreo on employment supports and jobs advice

• Department of Education, ETBs and Regional Education and Language Teams (REALTs) for schooling, youth services and English Language supports.

Further supports are also provided by the Irish Red Cross (IRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). A blended model of online and in-person engagement are being delivered by the IRC and IOM to inform people of policy changes and give guidance on options available to people. For more information on these supports please visit www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/state-contracted-commercial-accommodation-en/.

People with 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 accommodation offered by hosts. 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.

I have also obtained Government approval to develop an alternative permission for people with Temporary Protection in Ireland, which will be granted for a period of up to two years, renewable for periods of two years thereafter. This permission is known as the Temporary Protections Transition Scheme.

Eligibility criteria will apply, including a requirement to be earning a minimum of €29,432 per year, have independent accommodation, and be continuously resident in Ireland for a period of one year as person with Temporary Protection prior to the opening of the application process.

Applicants who are self-employed must provide satisfactory evidence such as revenue records that they were, and continue to be, self-employed for 6 months prior to the opening of the Scheme. There is no time requirement on how long an applicant is living independently from state supported accommodation prior to applying. However, an applicant must provide evidence of independent accommodation at the time of application. Further information is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/campaigns/ukraine-updates-en/. This webpage will be updated over the next few weeks to include details of the application process.

It is also important to note that the alternative permission is not intended to replace Temporary Protection, but to provide an alternative permission for those who are eligible and who wish to remain in Ireland beyond its protection. Persons who cannot meet the requirements of the scheme remain entitled to and benefit from the Temporary Protection Status while the Temporary Protection Directive remains in effect. For the avoidance of doubt, the eligibility requirements for the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme do not apply to those remaining under Temporary Protection.

While Temporary Protection is currently in place until March 2027, an extension until March 2028 has recently been agreed by the Council of the European Union. Those granted Temporary Protection in Ireland will remain entitled to this protection and associated rights to include employment and education while the Directive is in effect.