Finian McGrath
Question:414 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if any health board ever granted finance in the region of ?1,000 to ?3,000 to refugees or asylum seekers in order to purchase motor cars. [18194/02]
Adjournment Debate. - Asylum Seekers.
The income maintenance needs of asylum seekers are met for the most part by the health board community welfare officers who administer the supplementary welfare allowance scheme on behalf of my Department. 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.
Allegations have been made on a number of occasions in the past that asylum seekers and refugees are in receipt of payments from the social welfare system which Irish citizens do not get in respect of items such as cars. In each instance, following inquiries made by my Department with the relevant health boards, no evidence has been found to support such allegations. I am satisfied that if such payments were being made, my Department's records would show this.
It is important to remember also that the majority of non-nationals currently residing in the State are neither asylum seekers nor refugees. They are mainly EU citizens or people from elsewhere who have been granted work permits and are in employment or who are studying and not dependent on support from the social welfare system.