Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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390. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will support paying the full basic supplementary welfare allowance to asylum seekers who are not in direct provision and giving asylum-seeking children access to child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9508/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Applicants for International Protection, who are awaiting a decision on their application, are offered accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Those who accept IPAS accommodation are provided with material reception conditions including food and health services together with other facilities and services designed to ensure their needs are met while seeking the protection of the State.

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

The Government has provided €20.15 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 10,100 adults and 2,100 children residing in IPAS provided accommodation in respect of whom daily expenses allowance is being paid.

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).

Child Benefit is a monthly payment to support parents and guardians and is also subject to the person having the right to reside and satisfying the HRC.

Applicants for International Protection do not satisfy HRC while their application for protection is pending a decision.

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

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.