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Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2015

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

Questions (44)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

44. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if refugees residing in a hotel (details supplied) are receiving full social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45532/15]

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Written answers

Families arriving in Ireland under the Resettlement arrangements are afforded full refugee status upon their arrival in Ireland. These families are eligible for social welfare payments on the same basis as Irish citizens and are entitled to apply for relevant social welfare weekly payments such as basic supplementary welfare allowance, jobseekers allowance, one parent family payment and child benefit appropriate to the circumstances of the individual or family. The types of social welfare payments or rates of payments paid to these individuals is a matter between the individuals themselves and the Department. In general, refugees while resident in the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) receive accommodation, food and other basic services provided by the State. Social Welfare legislation allows for the assessment of the non-cash benefits provided to the residents and the Department assesses the value of these non-cash benefits when determining appropriate rates of social welfare payments. This generally results in a reduction of the weekly amount payable taking into account that basic requirements such as food, accommodation and other services are provided. Refugee families are also entitled to receive child benefit and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance depending on their family circumstances. The Department can make exceptional needs payments (ENPs) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure such as seeking accommodation, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. Programme Refugees and others with refugee status can apply for ENPs to meet needs as they arise, for example for essential items such as clothing or other personal items, travel costs and also rent deposits to support the transition into rented accommodation. Once the period of orientation in the reception centre is over and the families move to accommodation in the community, the means assessment is reviewed and entitlement to the relevant social welfare payment is recalculated to reflect the changed situation. This would generally result in an increase in payment in line with the scheme rules taking into account the individual circumstances of the individual or family. The amount paid to the individual families in the hotel referred to by the Deputy is a matter between the individuals and the Department.

Questions Nos. 45 to 47, inclusive, withdrawn.

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