Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1200. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to increase the direct provision allowance, as welfare allowances have been increased several times while the direct provision allowance of €38.80 per week remains unchanged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16699/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Deputy, thank you for your correspondence. While an application for international protection is being examined by the International Protection Office, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and related services to international protection applicants (IPAs) who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State.

This offering includes food and utilities while the person is an IPA. Access to public medical services is provided and a weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person.

In 2021, this was increased to €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children.

At present, the funding of IPAS accommodation and ancillary services, are met solely by the Exchequer. Any increase in payments must be considered under the budgetary process.

After six months in Ireland, IPAs are eligible to work if they have not received a first instance decision on their application.

In some cases, where a resident is experiencing undue hardship, they may also be entitled to an Additional Needs Payment.

Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection. An Additional Needs Payment application is reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) who makes a decision based on the individual's circumstances. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis.

I trust this clarifies the matter.