The individuals covered by the appeals decisions in question have been paid in full. All other cases continue to be paid in accordance with the relevant legislation.
People living in Direct Provision receive free accommodation, meals, light, heat, laundry and all services normally available in a domestic house. All costs for this are borne by the State. Social welfare legislation allows for the assessment of the value of these services in means tests for social welfare payments. It is not unreasonable that some account be taken of the value of these services, as people living in the community have to meet the equivalent costs from their social welfare payments.
The Deputy may be aware that, following a Supreme Court Judgement in May 2017, the Government has approved to opt in to the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive. My Department is assessing if this will have implications for the arrangements for people with status in Direct Provision. Once this assessment is complete, the Department will arrange to implement the necessary, if any, changes.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
