International Protection Bill 2026: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-18
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

These amendments relate to the rights of beneficiaries of international protection. I have brought forward amendments Nos. 9 and 271.
Amendment No. 9 is a technical amendment which defines "guardian" as having the same meaning as in the qualifications regulation. The purpose of amendment No. 271 is to allow for amendments to the Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, which will be brought forward on Report Stage and will rely on this definition.
Amendments Nos. 269, 270 and 273 are technical amendments to section 144. Section 144 sets out certain rights to which beneficiaries of international protection are entitled once they have been granted protection under the Bill. These amendments make clear that beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to housing benefits on the same basis as Irish citizens, which is a requirement under the qualification regulation. The term "housing benefits" is defined by reference to the appropriate housing legislation.
I do not propose to accept amendment No. 272. It proposes to remove any obligation to participate in integration measures on beneficiaries of international protection. While participation in integration measures in Ireland is on a voluntary basis at present, the qualification regulation enables member states to introduce compulsory integration measures.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:44+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-18