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Direct Provision Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2019

Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Questions (583, 614)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

583. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount paid to an adult living in direct provision; the amount given for each child living in direct provision; and his plans to increase the amount given to each. [25267/19]

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Willie O'Dea

Question:

614. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the allowance for children in direct provision from €29.80 to €31, €32, €33, €34 and €35, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25111/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 614 together.

The 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.

The Government has provided €9.38 million for the allowance in 2019. The weekly rates of payment were increased in Budget 2019 from €21.60 per adult and per child to €38.80 per adult and to €29.80 per child.

There are approximately 4,280 adults and 1,750 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid. The full-year costs, based on current numbers, of increasing the weekly child rate from €29.80 to €31.00, €32.00, €33.00, €34.00 and €35.00 are provided in the following tabular statements.

Any increases to the rate of daily expenses allowance would have to be approved by Government and considered in a budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Tabular Statement : Cost of Increasing Child Rate of Daily Expenses Allowance

Proposed Rate

Additional full year cost to increase child rate from €29.80 to amount shown

Increase to €31

€109,200

Increase to €32

€200,200

Increase to €33

€291,200

Increase to €34

€382,200

Increase to €35

€473,200

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