Asylum seekers to have daily expenses allowance means tested under new rules

Asylum seekers receiving a daily expenses allowance will see their payments means-tested under new plans due to be introduced next month.

New advice issued by the Government has detailed the plans amid concern in Government that some asylum seekers in employment are still claiming the allowances.

If an international protection applicant lives in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), or is on a waiting list to move into accommodation while awaiting a decision on an application, they are entitled to a daily expenses allowance of €38.80 per week for an adult and €29.80 per week for a child.

An increased rate of €113.80 per week for an adult applies where a person is unaccommodated and is on a waiting list for IPAS accommodation.

Responding to the measures, the chief executive of the Limerick-based human rights and migrant support group Doras, warned it will push more people into poverty.

John Lannon told RTÉ radio’s News at One…