Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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117. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the direct provision adult allowance from €19.10 to €25.00, €30.00, €35.00, 38.74, and the cost of increasing the allowance paid in respect of children from €9.60 to €15.00, €20.00, €25.00, €29.80, per year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43756/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The direct provision allowance is a non-statutory payment administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality to persons in the Direct Provision system. Government has provided €3.5 million for the direct provision allowance in 2015.

There are approximately 2,990 adults and 1,100 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom the direct provision allowance is being paid. The full year cost of increasing the weekly direct provision allowance payment based on current numbers in respect of adults from €19.10 to €25, to €30, to €35, and €38.74; and the cost of increasing the allowance paid in respect of children from €9.60 to €15, €20, €25 and €29.80; is provided in the attached tabular statement. The numbers of persons seeking asylum in Ireland is increasing which would increase the costs as set out.

The recent Report of the Working Group on the Protection Process recommended an increase in the rate of the direct provision allowance payment in respect of adults and children. The Government in its decision of the 30 June 2015 recommended that the Report should in the first instance be the subject of detailed discussion at the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The recommendation in relation to the rate of direct provision allowance will be considered by the Cabinet Committee in due course.

Cost of increasing the rate of direct provision allowance: