Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2747. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the daily expenses allowance for persons in direct provision to €50 per child per week and €75 per adult per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33139/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection administers the daily expenses allowance which is paid to applicants for international protection who live in the direct provision system where they are provided with full board, accommodation and other services by the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice and Equality.
The Government has provided €9.38 million for the allowance in 2019. The weekly rates of payment were increased in Budget 2019 from €21.60 per adult and to €38.80 and from €21.60 per child to €29.80.
There are currently approximately 4,300 adults and 1,770 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid. The full-year costs, based on the current numbers, of increasing the adult rate from €38.80 to €75.00 would be approximately €8.1 million and the cost of increasing the weekly child rate from €29.80 to €50 would be approximately €1.9 million.
Any increases to the rate of daily expenses allowance would have to be approved by Government and considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
