David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has examined whether the system of direct provision and the placing of asylum seekers in accommodation centres is in contravention of the Equal Status Act 2000, Article 40.1 of the Constitution or the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16482/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The system of direct provision of accommodation and other services to asylum seekers was introduced with the approval of the Government by my predecessor who had full regard to the provisions of the equality legislation, the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. I see no reason to disagree with the decision of my predecessor on this matter.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the rate of direct provision allocated to asylum seekers was last increased; his plans to increase the amount of direct provision; if the current amount is sufficient; his plans to allow asylum seekers to engage in paid work to supplement this income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16483/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The direct provision system seeks to ensure that the accommodation and ancillary services provided by the State meet the requirements of asylum seekers during the period in which their requests for asylum are being processed. In addition, a direct provision allowance of €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child was introduced several years ago and is paid by community welfare officers, operating under the aegis of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, who also have the discretion to make once-off exceptional needs payments in special situations. The direct provision allowance seeks to reflect the value of the above-mentioned services to the asylum seeker and I have no plans to alter the amount.

As indicated in replies to Questions Nos. 308 of 9 November 2004, 429 of 30 November 2004 and 779 of 26 January 2005, it is not proposed to allow asylum seekers to take up paid employment pending a final decision being made on their applications.