Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1231. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 536 of 28 March 2023, his plans to communicate to international protection applicants who are not in IPAS accommodation their entitlement to an additional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. [16885/23]
View answerThe Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA) is paid to international protection applicants who are accommodated in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
My Department has recently liaised with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to ensure arrangements for the payment of a payment equivalent to the DEA to IPAs who are not accommodated by IPAS currently. This information is being provided to applicants when they make their application for international protection at the International Protection Office. Work is underway to identify further ways to communicate this information to applicants.
DSP have confirmed that payments will be backdated for the period from when individuals arrived in Ireland.
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.
Should an IPA require additional support, they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment. These are paid under the 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 (CMO) who makes a decision based on the individual's circumstances. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis.
