Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
1202. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to increase direct provision payments for adults and children in line with the supplementary welfare allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25266/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1203. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full year cost of doubling the payments made to those that are resident in direct provision. [25706/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1202 and 1203 together.
Protection seekers are offered accommodation under the system of direct provision operated by the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of the Department of Justice and Equality. Those who accept direct provision are provided with accommodation, food and health services together with other facilities and services designed to ensure their needs are met while seeking the protection of the State. All costs for this are borne by the State.
The direct provision allowance (DPA) is a non-statutory payment paid by my Department on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality to protection applicants living in the direct provision system. The weekly rate of DPA for children and adults is €21.60. 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 additional full-year cost, based on the current numbers, of doubling the weekly rate to €43.20 per week would cost some €5.95 million.
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants and who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. It is payable at the rate of €196 per week, with increases for qualified adults and children paid at the rates of €131.40 and €31.80 respectively. As protection seekers are provided with accommodation, food and other services, which recipients of SWA do not receive, it would not be appropriate to increase the rate of DPA in line with SWA. The rate of DPA for adults was increased from €19.10 to €21.60 in August 2017 while the rate for children increased from €9.60 to €15.60 in January 2016 and to €21.60 in August 2017.
Any further 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 Deputies.
