Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2018
252. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who lives in a direct provision centre is entitled to a weekly payment for transport if attending a full-time or part-time course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52330/18]
View answerThe Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection administers the daily expenses allowance which is paid to applicants for international protection who live in the direct provision system where they are provided with full board, accommodation and other services by the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice and Equality.
In addition, applicants for international protection can access exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) as these are not subject to the habitual residence condition. There is no entitlement to other weekly social welfare payments which are subject to this condition.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. There is no automatic entitlement to a payment under this scheme. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The Department of Education and Skills are operating a support scheme for students who are in the protection system or at the leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage and who are pursuing an approved post leaving certificate course or an approved undergraduate course for the academic year 2018/19. A maintenance grant is provided under this scheme, and would be expected to cover costs such as travel to college/university. Full details of the scheme are available on that Department of Education and Skill's website and any queries in relation to that scheme would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
