Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Noel Ahern
Question:
26
Mr. N. Ahern
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
the plans, if any, he has to amend the regulations for those on unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance in order to allow all claimants to take three weeks' holidays per year without signing on and those over 60 years of age who have been laid off or taken early retirement and whose prospects of getting employment are slim to take three or more weeks per year, in view of the fact that the annual leave entitlement for employees is three weeks and indeed the norm is now four weeks.
[13690/95]
Current arrangements allow recipients of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance to take up to two weeks holidays at home each year without interrupting their claim. Claimants are required to notify their Social Welfare local office at least two weeks in advance of going on holidays and receive their payments when they return.
In the case of holidays abroad, unemployment benefit may continue to be paid to people while absent from the State for the first two weeks or while representing Ireland in an amateur capacity at an international sporting event. In the case of unemployment assistance, the legislation provides for a disqualification from receiving payment while resident either temporarily or permanently outside the State. It is considered that absence from the State for up to two weeks on holiday or while representing Ireland in an amateur sporting capacity does not constitute residence outside the State and, accordingly, no specific legislative amendments in relation to unemployment assistance were considered necessary.
Provision was made in the Social Welfare Act, 1995, for regulatory powers which are designed to standardise the provisions relating to social insurance and social assistance payments of people absent from the State or in prison. In the context of drafting the necessary regulations, I am considering the question of increasing the holiday period from two weeks to three with perhaps a more flexible arrangement for those over 60 years of age along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Any proposals emerging from that examination will also be applied to holidays at home.
Eric J. Byrne
Question:
27
Mr. E. Byrne
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
the procedures by which those seeking asylum in Ireland are entitled to claim social welfare benefits; if his attention has been drawn to concerns that some asylum seekers may not be fully aware of their entitlements; if he has satisfied himself that his Department has in place all the necessary procedures for dealing with asylum seekers; the changes, if any, he intends making in view of the proposed introduction of refugee legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13947/95]
The determination of all applications for residency in this country is a matter for the Department of Justice but asylum seekers who enter Ireland and apply for refugee status are granted permission to remain in the State while their applications are being processed.
They do not hold work permits and as a consequence have no entitlement to unemployment payments. However, they may qualify for assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme if they have no other income.
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 may, depending on their circumstances, receive basic supplementary welfare allowance, a rent supplement in respect of private rented accommodation and the health board may also pay any deposit required in securing accommodation. Asylum seekers also qualify for health services in the same way as Irish citizens.
The majority of asylum seekers arrive in Ireland through Dublin and Shannon. Currently the arrangements for the reception of asylum seekers at the main points of entry are co-ordinated on an informal basis. All asylum seekers are issued with 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.
In Shannon asylum seekers are referred to the Irish Red Cross which arranges accommodation and advises on the availability of other services. While accommodation is initially provided in B & Bs asylum seekers subsequently tend to move to private rented accommodation in the Ennis area or elsewhere.
In Dublin applicants are usually referred to the Irish Red Cross or directly to the Eastern Health Board homeless unit. They are initially housed in hostel accommodation but subsequently they too may be given assistance towards the cost of private rented accommodation.
In 1993 an interdepartmental committee on non-Irish nationals issued a report on application for refugee status. It contained a number of recommendations in relation to the drawing up of guidelines for the reception of asylum applicants. In light of these recommendations an interdepartmental committee is currently drawing up guidelines with a view to ensuring that there is a formal co-ordinated approach to their needs. It is expected that this committee will complete its deliberations soon.
Deputies may wish to note that the reception and care arrangements for persons 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 established in 1991 under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Irish Refugee Council also does valuable work with refugees.
With regard to the proposed introduction of refugee legislation, my Department is aware of the proposals contained in the 1995 Refugee Bill and has provided observations on those proposals. The purpose of the Bill is to put existing administrative arrangements with regard to the rights and entitlements of refugees on a statutory footing. It provides for the establishment of an independent body to examine applications and an independent appeals tribunal to deal with appeals arising in relation to this area.
I am not aware of any cases where asylum seekers may not be fully aware of their entitlement to assistance. If, however, the Deputy has any information regarding such cases he should bring it to my attention and I will have the matter investigated.
