S.I. No. 251/2026 - International Protection Act 2026 (Section 212(4)) (Prescribed Housing Supports) Regulations 2026

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 16th June, 2026.

I, JIM O’CALLAGHAN, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by subsection (4) of section 212 of the International Protection Act 2026 (No. 9 of 2026), having regard to the matters specified in subsection (5) of that section and with the consent of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, hereby make the following regulations:

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the International Protection Act 2026 (Section 212(4)) (Prescribed Housing Supports) Regulations 2026.

(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on 12 June 2026.

2. In these Regulations, “Act of 2026” means the International Protection Act 2026 (No. 9 of 2026).

3. (1) The following social housing supports provided, facilitated or managed under section 19 of the Act of 2009 are hereby prescribed for the purposes of section 205(6)(b) of the Act of 2026:

(a) any dwelling provided by a housing authority under the Housing Acts 1966 to 2009 or provided under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (No. 30 of 2000), other than affordable housing;

(b) any dwelling provided by an approved body;

(c) any housing assistance provided under Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (No. 21 of 2014);

(d) any support relating to the entering into, and maintenance of, a rental accommodation scheme.

(2) In this Regulation -

“Act of 2009” means the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (No. 22 of 2009);

“approved body” has the same meaning as in the Act of 2009;

“housing authority” has the same meaning as in the Act of 2009.

4. (1) The following accommodation or lodgings made available, or assistance provided, under section 10 of the Act of 1988 are hereby prescribed for the purposes of section 205(6)(b) of the Act of 2026:

(a) any arrangement, including a financial arrangement, made under section 10(1)(a) of the Act of 1988 for the provision of accommodation;

(b) any assistance, including financial assistance, provided under section 10(1)(b) of the Act of 1988;

(c) any accommodation rented under section 10(1)(c) of the Act of 1988;

(d) any lodgings arranged under section 10(1)(c) of the Act of 1988;

(e) any contribution to the cost of accommodation or lodgings referred to in paragraph (c) or (d).

(2) In this Regulation, “Act of 1988” means the Housing Act 1988 (No. 28 of 1988).

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage consents to the making of the foregoing Regulations.

GIVEN under the Official Seal, of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage,

10 June, 2026.

JAMES BROWNE,

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

11 June, 2026.

JIM O’CALLAGHAN,

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

The International Protection Act 2026 introduces changes for family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection. These regulations prescribe a list of housing supports for the purpose of section 205 of the Act, which provides that a person may not be in receipt of a prescribed housing supports for a period of two years prior to their application for family reunification (subject to a grace period of 6 months cumulatively in the previous 2 years).