Government planning subsistence charge for asylum seekers 

Barriers erected at Thornton Hall in North Co Dublin. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

The Government is set to introduce a subsistence charge for asylum seekers who are living in state-owned accommodation.

The idea behind the proposed charge is that those who are working while seeking international protection make a contribution towards their living costs. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Thursday that this should be the case, saying he thinks it is fair "that if you’re working and earning an income that you make some contribution towards the services the State is providing".

Discussions at a high level between officials took place on Wednesday on the proposed charge, which is expected to be signed off on in the coming weeks by the Government.

The charge will be based on the income earned by international protection applicants and signifies a move away from the weekly flat payments made to asylum seekers. 

Currently, adult asylum seekers living in State accommodation are entitled to €38.80 a week, while children receive €29.80.

Under existing rules, international protection applicants are only permitted to work in Ireland six months after they arrive in the State and claim asylum. Currently, those working for more than 12 weeks or more and earning more than €135 a week see their allowance reduced.

One source said that a review of the subsistence charge was completed in July, with Cabinet ministers being briefed and informed that there was a leaning towards a model of contributions.

A high-level meeting between officials took place on Wednesday, with changes set to come from the Department of Children.

A decision will need to be made within the Cabinet committee on migration before later going to Cabinet for sign off, and the changes will then be made by the Department of Integration.

It comes after Mr Harris signalled on Wednesday that further changes to supports for asylum seekers could be on the cards in a speech to the Fine Gael think-in.

Mr Harris told Fine Gael TDs and senators that the Government would establish a new Accommodation Project Management Group in the coming weeks that will focus on developing and opening larger asylum seeker accommodation sites.

Tented accommodation

He said that the first test of this new group would be in the opening of tented accommodation at Thornton Hall in Dublin later this month.

The Taoiseach also indicated that further resources will be allocated to the Community Engagement Team, with a new campaign due to be launched at the end of the month.

The proposed introduction of a subsistence charge to asylum seekers comes just months after means testing was introduced on the daily expense allowances for those living in State accommodation.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee, when asked about immigration supports, said that supports have been changed over the last two years and there is a need to get the balance right.

“Any changes, obviously, into the future would have to be agreed by all of the three coalition parties,” Ms McEntee said.

The Justice Minister said that there is a need for Ireland to be “flexible” in its asylum system to provide support to as many people as possible.