Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will appreciate that is a different Department, but I believe I can speak on behalf of all us when we acknowledge the huge amount of work that is being done by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, led by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, not just in responding to the significant numbers of people coming in from Ukraine, which is more than 40,000 people at this stage, but also with the significant increase in the international protection applications. It is vital an individual who comes to this country who seeks asylum is entitled to that process and that we would do so in as speedy a manner as possible. This is where my Department comes in, making sure we have the reforms and the structures in place to be able to respond and support them in as quick a manner as possible.

Separate to that, we have been involved in the development of the temporary protection mechanism, which are the letters the citizens from Ukraine receive. We work very closely with the Department of Social Protection and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to ensure they receive their PPS numbers on time also. This started initially with a one-stop shop in Dublin but it has since expanded and we have a number of one-stop shops now available to individuals. Where they do not receive their PPS number immediately, they can then go to an office at a later date. It is my understanding the vast majority of people who are now coming in are going directly to Citywest where they are now receiving their temporary protection mechanism. They are being supported, if needed, at a later date to make sure they have their PPS number. Obviously, this entitles them to the many other supports also.

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