Seán Haughey
Question:384. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the payments made to an applicant seeking international protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22512/24]
View answerTuesday, 21 May 2024
Questions (384)
Written answers
My department administers the Daily Expenses Allowance which is paid to international protection applicants who reside in, or are waiting for, accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. An increased rate of €113.80 per week for an adult applies where a person is unaccommodated and is on a waiting list for IPAS accommodation.
The Habitual Residence Condition is a social welfare condition that a person must satisfy to receive a social assistance payment. Generally, international protection applicants who have not yet been granted protection will not qualify for social welfare payments that are subject to the Habitual Residence Condition.
Applicants for international protection have full access to the labour market where they have been awaiting a first instance decision on their application for international protection for six months or more.
Where an international protection applicant has been granted access to the labour market, they have access to Working Family Payment and some may qualify for benefit schemes linked to PRSI contributions if they are working for a sufficient period of time.
In addition, all applicants for international protection are eligible to apply for an additional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help with essential expenses that they cannot meet from their own resources. Additional Needs Payments are subject to an assessment of the person’s means and the necessity of the expenditure. Entitlement only arises where a person can demonstrate that the expenditure is essential and that they have no means of funding the expenditure themselves.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.