Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1230. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has heard reports of international protection applicants being denied the social welfare payments to which they are entitled. [16884/23]
View answerI have not heard of reports of international protection applicants being denied the social welfare payments to which they are entitled.
I have asked Minister Humphreys for the Department of Social Protection to make arrangements for a payment similar to the Daily Expenses Allowance to be made to applicants who are currently not in receipt of IPAS accommodation. That Department has facilitated this request.
Since 23 January 2023, staff from the Department of Social Protection are also present in the IPO for the purposes of accepting applications for PPSNs. These arrangements apply to all applications from individuals applying for international protection, regardless of whether they have an address or not.
If a person is not in IPAS accommodation but indicates they have a need for financial support when they attend at an Intreo Centre to collect their PPSN, they can apply for an additional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
Staff in Intreo Centres are aware of this and are available to assist with applications. While additional needs payments are issued in response to an existing need, this does not preclude any subsequent application where a person continues to require assistance.
