Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1527. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will change the current social welfare payment arrangements applying to residents of direct provision who have secured their leave to remain and who are unable to access permanent accommodation and effectively using direct provision as a form of emergency accommodation; and if they will receive their full social welfare payment. [35848/17]
View answerProtection seekers are offered accommodation under the system of direct provision operated by the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of the Department of Justice and Equality. Those who accept direct provision are provided with accommodation, food and health services together with other facilities and services designed to ensure their needs are met while seeking the protection of the State. My Department administers payment of the direct provision allowance to protection seekers residing in Direct Provision Centres on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality.
Once a person has been granted status, they may apply for Department of Social Protection payments appropriate to their circumstances, on the same basis as Irish citizens, such as basic supplementary welfare allowance, jobseeker's allowance or one-parent family payment and child benefit, subject to meeting the rules of the particular scheme. Payment under these schemes can be made to a person while they continue to remain resident in a Direct Provision centre prior to moving into the community, with the value of the non-cash benefits which they receive, i.e. accommodation, food and other services, assessed in the means assessment, subject to the legislation governing the means test for each scheme. Once a person moves into the community, the rate of payment increases to reflect the change in circumstances.
Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) are made to persons in the direct provision system and are largely paid towards clothing costs, transport costs and the purchase of child related items such as prams/buggies. ENPs are also paid to support the move from direct provision accommodation into the community, including assistance towards rent deposits and items associated with setting up home. All applications are determined on a case by case basis having regard to the individual circumstances presented.
Housing and the provision of emergency accommodation are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
