Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

67 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when the cash payment to asylum seekers, administered by his Department under the direct provision system, was last increased; the percentage by which social supplementary welfare allowance payments were increased in the same period; his plans for an increase in the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6596/02]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The income maintenance needs of asylum seekers is met for the most part by the health board through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The main objective of the scheme is to make up the difference between a person's means whether in cash or in kind and their needs. Where a person has access to some resources in kind or in cash, through the social welfare system or otherwise, the relevant legislation requires that this be taken into account in determining entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance.

This occurs in the case of asylum seekers who arrived since 10 April 2000. They are provided with full board accommodation, including all meals and other services under the system of direct provision operated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In such cases the recommended weekly allowance is €19.05 per adult and €9.52 per child to provide for personal requisites. Furthermore, where there are other reasonable expenses exceptional needs payments are made by the health boards.

A small number of asylum seekers are in receipt of other social welfare payments such as one-parent family payments, pensions and disability allowance. In addition, any asylum seeker with children is entitled to child benefit. The current monthly rates are €85.71 for each of the first two children and €109.20 for the third and sub sequent children. These payment rates will increase to €117.60 and €147.30 respectively in April 2002.

The allowances in payment to asylum seekers in direct provision have not increased since the direct provision system was introduced in April 2000. The maximum personal rate of supplementary welfare allowance in April 2000 was £72 per week, equivalent to €91.42. The current maximum personal rate is €118.80 representing a percentage increase of 30%.

I established a working group in April 2000 to examine the issues relating to assessment of need for supplementary welfare allowance purposes. Among the issues examined by the group are the existing arrangements for the payment of basic weekly supplementary welfare allowance to people who have means other than cash to partly meet their basic needs and the payment rate appropriate to asylum seekers in direct provision. To give a broad spread of expertise, the group comprises representatives from my Department and the Departments of Finance, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the Environment and Local Government, as well as a representative appointed by the chief executive officers of the health boards.

I understand that the working group will finalise its report very shortly. When I receive the report I will be in a position to consider the findings and recommendations of the working group and decide if it is appropriate to make changes in either the rate of payment to asylum seekers in direct provision or the manner in which these payments are made.

Question No. 68 answered with Question No. 63.