Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman has confirmed to Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan that residents of the International Protection system who are in receipt of income from employment or self-employment are not being asked to make any contribution toward their accommodation or reception costs.
The Independent TD had asked Minister O’Gorman if he would support measures whereby IPAS applicants who obtain employment after six months residency here and while resident in state-provided accommodation would contribute to the costs incurred by the state. IPAS applicants have been permitted to access the labour market since mid-2018.
In response Minister O’Gorman stated that as set out in Article 5(2) of (S.I) 230 of 2018 (Reception Conditions Regulations) IPAS residents who are in receipt of income which reaches the thresholds set out can already be required to make a contribution towards the cost of the provision of their reception.
However, in response to a follow up questions from Deputy Nolan on the number of residents who actually have been required to make a contribution towards the cost of the provision of their reception, the minister confirmed that “while regulation 5 of the Reception Conditions Regulations allows for the assessment and adjustment of a recipient’s weekly income, IPAS does not currently request a contribution from IP applicants residing in IPAS accommodation centres.”
Regulation 5 specifically states that an IPAS recipient whose weekly income falls within an amount specified in the second column of Schedule 2 at any reference number shall make the contribution specified in the fourth column opposite that reference number towards the cost of the relevant reception conditions being provided to him or her:
“It is clear to me and I think it will be clear to most reasonable people that there is a level of preferential treatment being afforded here that is entirely unacceptable and indeed deeply frustrating,” said Deputy Nolan.
“The Statutory Instrument that governs this issue clearly provides for a contribution where an IPAS resident earns anything up to €600 plus per week from employment or self-employment. Yet the state is doing nothing to ask for even a minimal level of contribution toward incurred costs. Why is that and what message is it sending out?”
“Anyone who is on HAP for instance must make a contribution toward their accommodation costs, so why the disparity here especially when the state is actually providing the accommodation?”
The SI also clearly states that an IPAS applicant in accommodation “shall make the contribution specified.” If this is not happening then it clear to me that the regulations are being breached on a massive scale.”
“I will certainly be following this matter up. We must have fairness. We cannot allow the perception or indeed the reality of preferential treatment to take hold.”
“If you are in this country as an IPAS applicant and you are employed with an income of €600+ per week, then I do not think it unreasonable that you should make a contribution toward whatever costs the State is bearing on your behalf,” concluded Deputy Nolan.
Notes to Editor:
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For Written Answer on : 30/04/2024
Question Number(s): 552 Question Reference(s): 19391/24
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: Carol Nolan T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth if his Department has made any efforts to seek contributions from international protection applicants from 2018 to date for their reception costs in line with article 5 (2) of (S.I) 230 of 2018; if so, the amount of contributions received during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek International Protection (IP), and in that time, to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (transposed under SI 230 of 2018, or the “Reception Conditions Regulations”), to those that require it.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to IP applicants who wish to accept an offer of accommodation from the State. This offering includes all meals and utilities, access to public medical services, and an expense allowance at a standard rate E38.80 per adult.
While regulation 5 of the Reception Conditions Regulations allows for the assessment and adjustment of a recipient’s weekly income, IPAS does not currently request a contribution from IP applicants residing in IPAS accommodation centres.
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For Written Answer on : 09/04/2024
Question Number(s): 1147 Question Reference(s): 14748/24
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: Carol Nolan T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth if he will introduce or support measures whereby IPAS applicants who obtain employment after six months residency here and while resident in an accommodation centre will contribute to their accommodation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
As set out in Article 5(2) of S.I. 230 of 2018, IPAS residents who are in receipt of income which reaches the thresholds set out can already be required to make a contribution towards the cost of the provision of their reception.
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For Written Answer on : 16/04/2024
Question Number(s): 602 Question Reference(s): 16540/24
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: Carol Nolan T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1147 of 9 April 2024, the number of residents who have been required to make a contribution towards the cost of the provision of their reception; the total amount received to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not currently collect contributions from International Protection Applicants