Justice Minister Helen McEntee has indicated that the proposed assessment of asylum seekers’ income is part of the government’s efforts to create an equitable system. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys is currently reviewing these plans intended to be implemented next month. This scheme was suggested by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The income assessment is intended for people aged 18 and older who are living in direct provision and international protection environments, as there are worries that some employed asylum seekers are still obtaining allowances. As per the proposed plans, international protection applicants who are earning over €125 per week would see a reduction in their welfare payments.
The government has already lessened the social welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees who arrived post-March from €232 to €38.80 weekly. It was announced last week that Ukrainians who took refuge in Ireland from 2022 to early 2024 and reside in government-funded housing would also experience allowance reductions within the upcoming three months. These changes, however, will not affect those living in privately-rented homes and pledged accommodations who arrived before March.
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, Ms. McEntee clarified that the changes were made to ensure that those capable of self-support could afford to do so. In response to questions about the government’s readiness to handle this policy, she stated that the legislation is not affected by the number of residents but based on the principle that residents who have the means to support themselves should not be eligible for additional state funding. This applies to all residents in the country, not just international protection applicants or those from Ukraine.”
The crux of the issue is to ensure our regulations are even-handed and universally applicable. The focus is not about removing as many people as possible from the schema, but about making certain that our system treats everyone on an equal footing, without any discrimination.
Those applying for international protection who are residing in the public housing provided by the State, are entitled to a weekly stipend of €38.80 for an adult and €29.80 for a child. The stipend increase to €113.80 per week for adults who do not have a place to live and are on a waiting list for housing.
As per the latest government statistics, there are presently 30,463 people including 7,494 minors, seeking international protection and taking up lodgings in state-owned housing. There are a further 1,923 males presently waiting for accommodation to be assigned to them.