Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2019
805. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated amount it would cost to introduce a weekly allowance for children living in direct provision in line with the rate for a qualified child including the higher rate for children over 12 years of age. [29758/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2019, I was pleased to increase the rate of Daily Expenses Allowance to the rates recommended in the McMahon Report on Improvements to the Protection Process. This included a €8.20 per week increase (to €29.80) in the payment for children.
The estimated full year cost of increasing the weekly payment for children living in direct provision in line with the rate for a qualified child payment, €34 for children under 12 and €37 for children aged 12 and over, would be €0.4 million.
Any such increase would need to considered in a budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
