Asylum seekers who arrived since 10 April 2000 are provided with full board accommodation, including meals and other services under the direct provision system operated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The income maintenance needs of asylum seekers are met for the most part by the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered by the health boards on behalf of my Department. This scheme is subject to a means test. A weekly allowance of €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child is paid to asylum seekers in the direct provision system to provide for personal requisites. Where there are other reasonable expenses exceptional needs payments are made by the health boards.
All asylum seekers who arrived before 10 April 2000 and some who arrived since then live outside the direct provision system. In these cases they may receive the full standard rate of supplementary welfare allowance including rent supplement and diet and heating supplement, subject to the same conditions as any other recipients.
Asylum seekers who applied for asylum before 26 July 1999 and who had completed 12 months in the asylum process but whose cases had not been decided are able to seek employment.