Vol. 560 No. 1
1004 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the payments and allowances made by his Department to asylum seekers; the reason for such a payment; the maximum allowance made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1964/03]
1005 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the payments and allowances made by his Department to persons granted asylum; the reason for such a payment; the maximum allowance made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1968/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1004 and 1005 together.
Asylum seekers who arrived after 10 April 2000 are allocated a place in the direct provision system operated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform where they are provided with full board accommodation, including laundry and other services.
In addition, they receive a weekly personal allowance of €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered by the health boards on behalf of the Department. Exceptional needs payments are also made by the health boards where appropriate.
In some circumstances an asylum seeker may vacate the direct provision system. Those who are allowed to do so and who live within the community may receive the full standard rate of supplementary welfare allowance, including rent supplement. The current maximum rate of basic supplementary allowance payable is €124.80 for a single adult, €207.60 for a couple. This also applies to asylum seekers who arrived before 10 April 2000 who are not covered by the direct provision system.
A person who has been granted asylum is entitled to the same treatment under the social welfare system as an Irish citizen. Such a person also has the right to seek employment. Persons who applied for asylum before 26 July 1999 and who had completed 12 months in the asylum process were also allowed to seek employment.
A small number of asylum seekers and a small number of those who have been granted asylum are in receipt of other social welfare payments such as unemployment payments, one parent family payments, pensions, disability allowance and child benefit. Details of the numbers involved in these categories are not available.
