Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding families in direct provision centres (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9528/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Since April 2000 the needs of asylum seekers are catered for under the direct provision system operated by the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Under the system asylum seekers are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities such as laundry services and access to leisure areas. To take account of the services provided, a direct provision allowance of €19.10 per adult per week and €9.60 per child per week is payable in respect of any personal requisites required. This payment is currently being made by the Community Welfare Division of the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

It continues to be open to any asylum seeker to seek assistance for a particular once-off need by way of an exceptional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. There is no automatic entitlement to any such payment and there are no time bound restrictions. Each application is determined based on the particular circumstances of the case.