Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023
300. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify whether it is intended that the new International Protection child payment of €140 per month, or €32.11 per week, announced in Budget 2024, will be paid in addition to the existing daily expense allowance for children of €29.80, or will it just replace that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54361/23]
View answerIreland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes over 74,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
The State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek IP, and in that time, to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), to those that require it.
As part of the Budget process, €4.7m was secured to provide for an International Protection Child Payment in 2024.
A business case for sanction on the establishment of the IPCP has now been prepared and submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in line with the rules and procedures governing public spending.
As part of the development of the White Paper, agreement was reached in principal that the Department of Social Protection would administer the IPCP. My officials are currently engaged in discussions to agree the particulars of this arrangement.
