Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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389. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will significantly increase the direct provision allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9504/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department administers the daily expenses allowance, provided for under S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, in order to meet incidental, personal expenses for those who are provided for directly with meals and accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS).

The Government has provided €20.15 million for the allowance in 2023. The current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. There are approximately 10,100 adults and 2,100 children residing in IPAS provided accommodation in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is leading the implementation of the recommendations contained in the White Paper to End Direct Provision, adopted by the Government in February 2021.

Any increases to the current rate of daily expenses allowance, pending the implementation of the White Paper to End Direct Provision, would have to be approved by Government and considered in an overall budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.