Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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235. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which a basic payment is being made available to various categories of persons including refugees and asylum seekers on an ongoing basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35227/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.

The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. This assistance is subject to the person having the right to reside and satisfying the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC).

Persons granted refugee status have the right to the same social welfare benefits as an Irish citizen including access to a basic SWA payment.

Basic SWA is paid at rates up to €206 per week with increases for adult and child dependents. Recent records show there are in total some 12,500 claimants in receipt of a basic SWA payment.

Applicants for International Protection, also referred to as persons seeking asylum, are provided with full board accommodation and other facilities and services by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

My department administers the daily expenses allowance (DEA) which is paid to protection applicants who reside in accommodation provided by IPAS.

The Government has provided €10.8 million for the allowance in 2022. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. There are approximately 4,400 adults and 1,540 children residing in the system of direct provision in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to a payment under the SWA Scheme is encouraged to contact their local Intreo Centre. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.