Welfare State

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A press release published by the Department of Social Protection last night and a tweet by the Irish Refugee Council

Last night the Department of Social Protection officially announced – and published a press release – that the weekly allowance for children seeking asylum is to be raised by €6 from €9.60 to €15.60.

This has already been reported.

However, in addition to the increase benefitting young asylees – who are in the process of seeking refugee protection – the department also said that the increase will also benefit “those coming to Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and the UNHCR-led Resettlement Programme.”

It’s understood that the people who are being relocated to Ireland under this programme – such as the group of Syrians who were brought to Clonea Strand Hotel near Dungarvan before Christmas –  have been predetermined as refugees by the UNHCR.

And once a person is recognised as a refugee in Ireland, they are entitled to apply for social welfare payments on the same basis as an Irish citizen.

Anyone?

Government announces increase to the direct provision allowance for children (Welfare.ie)

Previously: Institutionalised

A Wintry Welcome

The Institutionalisation Of 1,818 Children

Thanks Subpri.me

UPDATE:

In response to the increase…

Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance and member of the Working Group on the Protection Process, says: “As a member of the Working Group, I was deeply upset to witness first-hand the poverty that children in direct provision must endure. This increase – which will barely cover the cost of a bottle of Calpol – can only be seen as a gesture of goodwill. Our welcome is given with a strict proviso that the full increase to their payment be secured in the short-term.”

June Tinsley, Head of Advocacy at Barnardos, says, “While any increase is a move in the right direction, it is difficult to see the justification for such a paltry increase – less than a third of what the working group recommended and still far short of what they need. The direct provision system is no place for children and this increase will do precious little to change that. It must be abolished.”

Grainia Long, CEO of ISPCC, says, “ISPCC staff have worked with families in Direct Provision and seen the hardship caused by the inadequate level of financial support. We’ve heard from mothers trying to save an extra egg to bake a birthday cake for a child, and from children who have never known anything other than basic conditions in institutional settings. The modest increase from ministers is welcome, but it falls short of what children need, and will ultimately mean that children in Direct Provision remain woefully unsupported by the Irish state in 2016.”

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24 thoughts on “Welfare State

    1. Markskids

      What they get is a disgrace but why would they need a full rate of SW? They have a place to live, meals provided no bills. Now don’t get me wrong here I don’t agree with direct provision and how it’s run and don’t get me started on the length of time people have had to endure living in it but I fail to see why they would need the full rate if living in direct provision.

      1. Clampers Outside!

        I’m in agreement.

        Being a refugee, and being in a situation where you have to draw down welfare should not be equated as the same.

        Once cleared of the refugee system and admitted to the country and allowed seek work, then one can get full SW.

        Yes, the current situation is not good, conditions are appalling, children are far too long in the system. But being a refugee is not the same as being a jobseeker*.

        (* yes, of course there are spongers on welfare, that’s not the argument here)

      1. ahjayzis

        Why not? They fled their countries for the chance to live an ordinary life again. The graduate engineer who escaped Homs or Helmand will probably need at least a phone in order to find work.

        That’s refugees – asylum seekers need faster, more efficient adjudication, so their kids don’t become totally institutionalised adults.

        1. Carless Whisper

          I don’t have a car. I cannot afford one. I am an Irish taxpayer. Where can I pick up my free car? I assume you’ll also be giving me free driving lessons, licence, insurance, tax and petrol. Please help, I just want to live an ordinary life.

          1. ahjayzis

            I’m talking about refugees who have a right to work in this country – in response to someone who says they don’t need things like cars or phones.

            I’m sorry to have wasted your hysterical whining.

        1. fluffybiscuits

          They want to become part of society, cars allow them if they can afford one to be able to better look for jobs and a phone is an essential tool of communication

    1. Markskids

      I know or it least it used to be the case they would have been provided with toiletries at least and access to doctor etc.(anecdotal i know but a family member worked with them in Mosney in the early days there,) I’ll take your point though regarding a phone, I would not consider that a luxury today and especially in their circumstances, where they may have very series concerns for family back home and need to keep in regular contact.

    2. joj

      Ye go and earn it, why should I work to pay for some freeloaders, I am not responsible for savage wars halfway across the world

      1. scottser

        arguably, you vote for politicians – the largest class of freeloaders in the country – and they invariably are responsible for wars, which has oft been noted are simply the extension of politics.

        1. joj

          The cost of running Leintser house compared to the welfare bill, ye pretty much the same. except its not at all, and what has shannon got to do with the middle east. we provide a service and the US army avails of it. Money not politics are involved, I happily see Shannon used for north korean jets if they wanted

  1. timble

    when a refugee first arrives they are housed and provided with meals, heating, and usually offered clothes etc by the State. The value of these is offset against the SW payments they would be entitled to. They will also be issued with exceptional needs payments if they need to buy specific things I think.

    A refugee with children is entitled to childrens allowance seperate to this.

    As the main living costs are met, they don’t get the full SW payment until they move into their own accommodation when their payment would be re-assessed.

    1. ahjayzis

      I think you’re conflating refugee with asylum seeker. Asylum seekers don’t have the option to move out and stand alone.

      1. scottser

        +1 – refugees are granted a stamp 4 permit from dept of justice. anyone with a stamp 4 can apply for social welfare, social housing etc and enjoys the benefits of state protection the same as any irish citizen. an asylum seeker is placed in a direct provision centre until a decision is made on their refugee status.

        the whole point of the original post is that those who have come here under the UN scheme are already given refugee status and a stamp 4, then why are they being held in a direct provision-style service when they are entitled to full benefits?

  2. Kieran NYC

    The momentum that was built up to end Direct Provision seems to have died on its arse. Really thought enough of a head of steam had been built up this time.

    Frustrating!

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