Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Maternity leave is a policy issue for the Department of Justice and Equality. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection just pays the benefit that is associated with the people who have the contributions towards. If a decision is made by the former Department, then we will comply with it. I will pass on the request Deputy Bríd Smith has made of me to the Minister for Justice and Equality and I will ask him to get back to her.

On the PUP for people who are here seeking asylum, anybody who does not live in the direct provision system has been able to apply and has received it. People who are living in direct provision and having their accommodation, food and associated needs provided for and paid for by the State while continuing to get the direct provision allowance of €38 per week who are precluded from claiming the PUP. That is not to be inflammatory, I am simply outlining the law. We have a maintain once principle in the State that we only look after people once and we do not look after them twice. Only the people who were not being provided with their overheads such as their accommodation, light, heat, transport, food, medical supplies, etc., are entitled to receive the income supports of €350 per week.

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