‘Scrooge-like’ refusal to hike allowance

THE Taoiseach has been described as “Scrooge-like” after refusing to increase the €19.10 weekly allowance to asylum seekers to allow them buy Christmas gifts for their children.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore told the Dáil yesterday it was “very regrettable” the allowance had not been increased since 1999.

“I need not remind the Taoiseach the number of times he and the rest of us have seen increases in our salaries since 1999,” said Mr Gilmore.

“This is a small amount of money. €19 per week covers people’s bus fares and other incidental expenses, such as whether they want to buy their children a gift for Christmas.”

He asked the Taoiseach to increase the allowance before Christmas.

In response, Mr Ahern said it was a matter for the justice minister to determine what could be done, but said: “I am not getting into that, but I do not believe there will be any changes, to be frank.”

He said the Government had been “fair and generous” in the system it operates for asylum seekers.

That system, known as direct provision, sees the State paying for an asylum-seeker’s board and lodgings while his or her application is being processed. The person is not permitted to work or seek social welfare benefits while their claim is being processed, which can take considerable time.

The allowance is designed to cover incidental expenses that asylumseekers might incur.

Mr Gilmore said about 6,000 people were in receipt of direct provision, and the Government could easily afford a generous measure at this time of year. “I am disappointed at the Scrooge-like response of the Taoiseach,” said Mr Gilmore.

“I did not honestly expect there would be resistance to it. These people have no political clout as they do not have a vote and therefore, they are not exerting political influence. Many of them have come here from very trying situations in their own countries, perhaps fleeing latter-day Herods.”

But Mr Ahern said: “Our asylum system compares to the best in the world in terms of fairness, support and back-up services. We do not have to make any apology in that regard.”