Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1267. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will expand the rent-a-room scheme to allow households who have an available bedroom to rent it to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17665/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Policy on rent a room schemes is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing. Work is ongoing to procure accommodation for International Protection applicants across the country.

It is important to note that over 5,000 persons currently accommodated in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres have a status that allows them to remain in Ireland and they have the same entitlements to accommodation as Irish nationals.

People with status have access to the Housing Assistance Payment and to the services of the Peter McVerry Trust and De Paul to help them to move out of IPAS accommodation and into accommodation in the community such as private rental and rent a room offers.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1268. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will pay the full basic supplementary welfare allowance to asylum seekers who are not in direct provision and give asylum-seeking children access to the child benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17666/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Those seeking asylum in Ireland must make an application for international protection. While that claim is being examined by the International Protection Office, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and related services to 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.

IPAs are entitled to free legal aid to help them with their protection application and appeals, if necessary. Access to public medical services is provided through the HSE and a weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person by the Department of Social Protection. In 2021 this allowance was increased to €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children. Child applicants also have a right to access mainstream education.

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

My Department has recently liaised with the DSP to ensure arrangements for the payment of the DEA, to IPAs who are currently without IPAS accommodation. DSP have confirmed that payments will be backdated for the period from when individuals arrived in Ireland to date.

IPAs may also make an application for an Additional Needs Payment. These are paid under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) or 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.

If a person is not in IPAS accommodation but indicates they have a need for financial support, when they attend at an Intreo Centre to collect their PPSN, they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

Staff in Intreo Centres are aware of this and are available to assist with applications.

The issue of income supports for international protection applicant children is currently under consideration in the reform process underway within the framework of the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service.

I trust this clarifies the matter.