Refugee groups object to social welfare measure

REFUGEE groups last night urged the Government not to follow Britain in introducing measures barring most asylum seekers from receiving social welfare.

Policies introduced in Britain this week provide for direct provision welfare payments to be withheld from asylum seekers who do not claim asylum immediately at their point of entry to the country.

The Government here is already planning to introduce regulations which will require people to apply for asylum as soon as they enter the State and the Department of Justice confirmed yesterday it may follow the British example.