Accommodation and Support
Housing Options for International Protection Applicants & Refugees
The International Protectional Accommodation Service (IPAS) is a business unit within the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) responsible for accommodating IP applicants while they are awaiting a decision on their application.
IPAS provides a range of accommodation types to individuals going through the IP application process. Residents of IPAS accommodation are provided with food and utilities and IP applicants are entitled to a DEA (Daily Expenses Allowance) of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child.
IPAS accommodation is voluntary. Some IP applicants may choose to live with friends or family already living in the community or source their own accommodation.
Changes to BOTP payment
From Monday 9 September 2024, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who live in a Designated Accommodation Centre where meals and utilities are provided no longer qualify for certain social assistance payments. These include: Jobseeker's Allowance, State Pension (Non-contributory), One-Parent Family Payment, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance, Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Disability Allowance, Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension, Guardian's Payment, Domiciliary Care Allowance.
- Any Beneficiary of Temporary Protection Payment (BOTPs) living in a Designated Accommodation Centre (DAC) will be entitled to a net weekly payment of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child subject to an income test.
- If you are affected by this, you will get a letter from the department telling you about changes to your payment.
- BOTPs resident in newly Designated Accommodation Centres will receive their first reduced payment on Thursday 12 September.
- You will still be entitled to Working Family Payment (WFP) and Child Benefit.
- You can also apply for an Additional Needs Payment.
- When a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection leaves a Designated Accommodation Centre or makes their own accommodation arrangements on arrival, they will be entitled to apply for standard social protection assistance, subject to meeting the standard eligibility conditions.
Housing Options for BOTPs (Ukraine)
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are not eligible to apply for social housing. They can source accommodation for themselves through the private rented market – www.daft.ie , www.myhome.ie , www.propertypal.ie . Estate agents also advertise accommodation for rent.
Some organizations to be aware of if living in private rented accommodation:
Threshold provides a wide range of information and advice in relation to sourcing private rented accommodation, dealing with problems during your tenancy and ending your tenancy.
The Residential Tenancies Board main functions are to maintain a register of private residential tenancies. They provide a dispute resolution service for tenants and landlords.
Accommodation Options from Providers
The Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme is a tax-free payment of €800 per month for each property used to provide accommodation to refugees from Ukraine.
Offer a Home is a tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available to anybody offering accommodation to those fleeing Ukraine.
Accommodation Options for Those with Status
Programme Refugee or Subsidiary Protection status are eligible to apply for social housing from the date of granting of that status, on the same basis as an Irish citizen.
Social housing is provided by local authorities and approved housing bodies in Ireland. Beneficiaries of International Protection or those granted permission to remain have the same access to social housing supports as Irish citizens.
Individuals can only apply to one local authority for social housing. They must show that they have a ‘local connection’ to that area i.e. where they are normally resident, work, attend education or have an existing family connection.
To qualify for social housing, an individual must be assessed and deemed to be eligible for social housing and in need of social housing.
You must have been granted status to remain in Ireland before you can apply for social housing.
Some things you will need to complete a social housing application include:
- Proof of income
- IRP card
- Birth certificates for all family members (if subsidiary protection/permission to remain)
- Affidavit to prove you do not own property in your country of origin (if subsidiary protection/permission to remain)
Information on applying for social housing is available at Apply for Social Housing - Cavan County Council (cavancoco.ie).
The Irish Refugee Council runs a weekly ‘Housing Application Morning’ every Thursday and a weekly ‘HAP/Tenancy finding workshop’ every Friday.
Housing Assistance Payment
HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) is a form of social housing support provided by all local authorities.
Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) - Cavan County Council (cavancoco.ie)
If a person qualifies for social housing, they can source their own accommodation and apply for HAP. The local authority makes a monthly payment to the landlord and the tenant pays a weekly contribution towards rent to the local authority, which is means tested. For more information on applying for HAP contact hap@cavancoco.ie or you can apply online HAP online portal.