Brendan Howlin
Ceist:71 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her proposals to increase the cash payment to asylum seekers under the direct provision scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24711/02]
Other Questions. - Social Welfare Payments.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:82 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of asylum seekers currently being paid full supplementary welfare allowances, including rent allowances payments; the criteria for assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24712/02]
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:85 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason single asylum seekers on direct provision are being paid reduced social welfare allowance payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24714/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 82 and 85 together.
The income maintenance needs of asylum seekers are met, for the most part, through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered by the health boards. The main objective of the scheme is to make up the difference between a person's means, whether in cash or in kind, and their needs.
For the purposes of the scheme, a person's needs are defined in legislation as the value of the full standard rate of supplementary welfare allowance payable, taking into account the size of the household in question. The means test is also defined in legislation. Where a person has access to some resources in kind or in cash, this must be taken into account in determining the amount payable.
The full rate of supplementary welfare allowance is payable if a person has no means. A reduced rate is payable if the person has means, but not a sufficient amount of means. The reason that a reduced rate of allowance is paid to asylum seekers in the direct provision system is because they receive meals and other services under that system, which is operated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The recommended weekly allowance for people in the direct provision system is €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child. Additional exceptional needs payments are made by the health boards in cases where they are deemed to be appropriate. The direct provision system was considered by an interdepartmental working group and the payment rate will be reviewed in the light of the group's report which is currently being examined.
Asylum seekers who arrived before 10 April 2000, and some who arrived since then, live outside the direct provision system. In these cases, if they have no other means, they may receive the full standard rate of supplementary welfare allowance including rent supplements, diet supplements or heating supplements, as appropriate. The criteria for assessment are precisely the same as those applying to any other recipients. Following an assessment of their means, assistance may be provided to bring their income up to the appropriate level of supplementary welfare allowance.
Details of social welfare recipients immigration status are not held on my Department's computer systems. It is not possible, therefore, to state how many full rate payments are made to asylum seekers or to refugees. However, the Department's records show that a total of 7,293 basic payments were made in respect of 18,856 people in the week ending 29 November 2002 to people who are outside the direct provision system, in cases where the head of household is a non-national. A total of 7,538 children were included in these payments. Some 6,246 rent supplements were also paid to non-nationals in the same week.
These totals include payments to people who are asylum seekers, former asylum seekers who have been granted leave to remain in the State by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, refugees and other non-nationals with no present or former connection to the asylum system. The households in question include non-nationals with Irish-born children.
Is the Minister aware that the allowance of €19.10 has not been increased for over two years? Does she have any intention of providing an increased level of allowance? Such a sum can easily be consumed by a few telephone calls or a bus trip and this could leave the recipient without any funds.
That is one of the issues being considered in the context of the review of the schemes.
The Minister stated that additional payments may be made where health boards deem it appropriate. Will she clarify that? There is a common perception that asylum seekers get money for cars, dogs and everything else. Will the Minister also clarify the position in that regard?
That is absolutely not the case.
My colleague, the Minister for Defence, has answered the question. I have reiterated this on a number of occasions. Supplementary welfare allowance payments are not used for the payment of cars. I have looked at the figures and done an analysis of the amounts of money paid to people under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme and it proves that this does not happen in the context of the payment from the community welfare officer from my Department. What was the other question the Deputy asked?
It was in regard to additional health board payments.
That is done in a similar way to the supplementary welfare allowance scheme that is administered by the community welfare officer for people with special needs.
The Minister did not answer the question about dogs.
She thought the Opposition had gone to the dogs.
There have been no applications for licences.
Has she spoken to her ministerial colleague regarding a relaxation in the ability of asylum seekers and refugees to work so that the financial burden on her Department under this heading can be eased?
I appreciate the Deputy's concern but he will be aware of the views of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on that matter.
And on every other matter.
I am delighted the Minister has replied to the question about asylum seekers getting money to buy cars. I am pleased it is on the record because this comment is being thrown at us daily as public representatives. Can other special payments be drawn down by asylum seekers if they find it difficult to survive on the money they get from the Department? Can they obtain special allowances in other circumstances from the Department or the health boards?
Exceptional needs payments are administered similar to the SWA scheme. They are awarded at the discretion of the CWO and are available for changes in family circumstances, clothing and whatever is essential for people's livelihoods. There is no difference in the criteria applied to asylum seekers.