It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 1466 and 1467 together.
The direct provision allowance is a non-statutory payment administered by my Department on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality to persons in the direct provision system. The Government has provided over €5.6 million for the allowance in 2018.
There are approximately 3,700 adults and 1,600 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom the direct provision allowance is being paid. The full-year costs, based on the current numbers, of increasing the weekly adult rate and the weekly child rate from €21.60 to €22, €23, €24 and €25 is provided in the tabular statement.
Any increases to the rate of direct provision allowance would have to be approved by Government and considered in a budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Adult Rate Direct Provision Allowance and full-year cost of rate increase.
Adult Rate
|
Additional full year cost to increase adult rate from €21.60 to amount
(based on 3,700 adult recipients)
|
Increase to €22
|
€76,960
|
Increase to €23
|
€269,360
|
Increase to €24
|
€461,760
|
Increase to €25
|
€654,160
|
Child Rate Direct Provision Allowance and full-year cost of rate increase.
Child Rate
|
Additional full-year cost to increase child rate from €21.60 to amount (based on 1,600 child recipients)
|
Increase to €22
|
€33,280
|
Increase to €23
|
€116,480
|
Increase to €24
|
€199,680
|
Increase to €25
|
€282,880
|