Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to facilitate those who have been granted asylum in an accommodation centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47470/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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From 30^thJune 2018, applicants for international protection in Ireland have entitlements under the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive.

Material reception conditions (i.e. housing, food and associated benefits) are provided to protection applicants at accommodation centres managed by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of the Department of Justice and Equality. The daily expenses allowance (DEA), formerly known as direct provision allowance, is administered by my Department and is payable to protection applicants who reside in RIA accommodation centres.

As announced in Budget 2019, the weekly rates of DEA will increase to €38.80 for an adult and €29.80 for a child from 25 March 2019.

Protection applicants can also access exceptional needs payments and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance as, unlike other social welfare payments, these are not subject to the habitual residence condition.

The Department will work with RIA to ensure that protection seekers due to be housed in the accommodation centre referred to by the Deputy will have access to the range of supports to which they are entitled.

I trust his clarifies the matter for the Deputy.