Cabinet is set to consider proposals tomorrow that would require asylum seekers to pay towards the cost of their State-provided accommodation.
Under the plan, those in the International Protection Accommodation System (IPAS) would contribute a sliding percentage of their weekly income:
– Up to €150 per week: €15 contribution
– Up to €340 per week: around €83 contribution
– €600 or more per week: €238 contribution
The scale is designed to range from roughly 10% to 40% of income, depending on earnings.
If approved, the Department of Justice expects the scheme could be in place by next year.
Department figures from last year indicate approximately 7,600 people currently in IPAS would have an income high enough to trigger a payment. That number is expected to drop significantly once the EU Migration and Asylum Pact takes effect in June, as it is projected to reduce overall asylum applications.
The contributions measure is one of three migration-related proposals in a joint memorandum from Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy.
The other two items on tomorrow’s Cabinet agenda are:
– Stricter rules on family reunification for people granted protection status
– Extending the residency period required for naturalisation from three years to five years.
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