Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers and Refugees.
Trevor Sargent
Question:
19
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for Justice
the plans, if any, she has to provide reception facilities for refugees seeking entry to this country; and if she will also ensure than an integrated approach to the services and facilities required by refugees exists between various Departments.
[9277/95]
Kathleen Lynch
Question:
64
Kathleen Lynch
asked the
Minister for Justice
if her attention has been drawn to concerns that refugees and asylum seekers encounter discrimination when applying for State benefits and services; if she intends introducing interdepartmental guidelines for the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees in respect of State services in view of the introduction of the Refugee Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[10362/95]
I propose to take Question Nos. 19 and 64 together.
I accept that there is scope for a more integrated approach to the provision of services to asylum seekers and refugees.
In 1993 an Interdepartmental Committee on Non-Irish Nationals issued a report on applications for refugee status. It contained a number of recommendations in relation to the drawing up of guidelines for the reception of asylum applicants. In the light of these recommendations, a committee of officials from the relevant Government Departments is currently drawing up guidelines with a view to ensuring that there is a co-ordinated approach to their needs. It is expected that this committee will complete its deliberations soon.
I will not outline the facilities which are currently in place for asylum seekers. At the outset, I should point out that the facilities in this State compare very favourably with the treatment of asylum seekers in other countries, where asylum seekers may be held in special centres and where they may not receive welfare assistance on the same level as that granted in Ireland.
All asylum seekers are given a leaflet which, in addition to information on the asylum examination procedure, contains information on whom they may contact for assistance in securing accommodation, welfare assistance and legal advice.
Asylum seekers are allowed access to the same services and facilities as Irish nationals in similar circumstances. While they are not entitled to social welfare benefits, they receive supplementary welfare assistance, £60.40 per week for an adult, £37.50 for an adult dependant and £13.20 for a child dependant and a rent allowance which can range from £30 per week for a single person to £400 per month for a family. In addition, in most cases, the health boards will pay the deposit required in securing accommodation for an applicant. Asylum seekers also qualify for health services in the same way as Irish citizens.
If one assumes that the average asylum seeker is a single person, living in private rented accommodation, then the average cost of providing assistance to such a person is £4,700 per year.
Asylum seekers in Shannon are referred to the Irish Red Cross who arrange their accommodation and other needs. While they are initially accommodated in B & Bs, they subsequently tend to move on to private rented accommodation in the Ennis area or elsewhere.
In Dublin, applicants are usually referred to either the Irish Red Cross or directly to the Eastern Health Board Homeless Unit. They are initially housed in hostel accommodation but subsequently they too are given assistance to find private rented accommodation.
The children of asylum seekers usually attend local schools. Voluntary groups often assist with language training and adults may attend evening classes such as vocational education committee run classes.
I would also add that the reception and care arrangements for persons who are admitted to the State on foot of Government decisions — such as the Vietnamese and Bosnians — are already administered in an integrated fashion by the Refugee Agency. This agency is state funded and was establised in 1991 under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Irish Refugee Council also do valuable work with refugees.
I am not aware of any case where refugees or asylum seekers have encountered discrimination when applying for State benefits and services. If, however, the Deputy has information regarding any discrimination she should bring it to my attention and I will have the matter investigated in liaison with other relevant Departments. The Government has appointed a Minister of State at my Department who is responsible for reviewing the terms of the 1994 Refugees Bill and I understand that the Minister is progressing the review, which is at an advanced stage.
