Irish government to reduce asylum seeker supports

The Irish government has decided to reduce asylum seeker supports at a meeting of senior ministers in Dublin on Wednesday.

Asylum seekers who have jobs will now have to pay a charge towards their State accommodation.

Family reunification rules will also be tightened and those applying for citizenship will have to live in Ireland for five years, instead of three.

Ireland has seen higher numbers of people seeking asylum and refuge in recent years than ever before.

The plans are being brought forward by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Junior Minister for Migration, Colm Brophy.

The plans will be announced in detail at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting ends.

International protection applicants who have jobs but live in state accommodation will be charged from €15 (£13) to €238 (£208) per week under proposals previously seen by BBC NI.

The amount asylum seekers pay will depend on their weekly income.

For example, asylum seekers earning from €97.01 (£85) up to €150 (£131) per week may be charged €15 (£13) per week.

But those earning €600.01(£526) and higher per week may have to pay €238 (£208) per week towards accommodation.

‘Common sense measure’

Asylum seekers who do not pay the charges and build up “significant arrears” may face court.

They may also be pursued by debt collectors.

Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris said on Tuesday plans to charge asylum seekers a portion of their income is “a common sense measure”.

But some Irish opposition parties have criticised the proposals, with Labour TD Ged Nash accusing Minister O’Callaghan of “virtue signalling” on immigration.

Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy previously said it is “only fair” asylum seekers pay towards their accommodation based on their means if they are working.