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
|