Ms Jackie Harrington:

The direct provision allowance is paid at a specific rate to all persons in direct provision. It is not means tested; it is paid once a person is resident. In many ways, the payment of that particular allowance is fairly black and white, as it were. If someone is resident in a direct provision centre, they will get the allowance. We would not generally have queries or issues on the DPA allowance. In the case of ENPs, a person can request a review by another officer within the Department. An officer can review the decision of another officer. Once a person is granted a particular status, for example, if he or she claims jobseeker's allowance, one-parent family allowance or basic supplementary welfare allowance, the payment is appealable to the social welfare appeals office. While persons in direct provision are seeking asylum, the direct provision would not be an issue because there is no means test. If one is resident in direct provision, the Department is advised and it pays the payment. In the case of exceptional needs, another officer would review the case.