Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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819. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she has taken in response to the recommendation in the Report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process that full basic supplementary welfare allowance be given to asylum seekers who are not in direct provision and give asylum-seeking children access to the child benefit. [12805/23]

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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821. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, following report of the the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process, the full basic supplementary welfare allowance can be paid to asylum seekers who are not in direct provision and give parents of asylum-seeking children given access to the child benefit. [12885/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 819 and 821 together.

The provision of material reception conditions, including food and health services, for applicants for International Protection who are awaiting a decision on their application is the responsibility of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS).

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 current weekly rates of payment are €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child. There are approximately 10,600 adults and 2,300 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 commitments contained in the White Paper to End Direct Provision, adopted by the Government in February 2021.

My Department is committed to supporting this process and my officials will continue to work with colleagues in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to implement change.

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system. 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 requirements of the Habitual Residence Condition.

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 condition of being habitually resident in the state.

Applicants for International Protection do not satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition while they are waiting for a decision on their application for international protection.

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.