559. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he is considering introducing the international protection child payment, outlined in the White Paper to End Direct Provision, as a crucial anti-poverty measure in Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51161/26]

Implementing a child payment for children in the international protection process remains under review as part of the overall package of supports and services provided to applicants for international protection.

The EU Pact on Asylum and Migration took effect on 12 June. The Pact will allow for faster and more efficient processing of asylum applications, and the harmonisation of reception conditions across EU member states.

Providing reception conditions, including accommodation and other basic supports, to international protection applicants is a requirement of Irish and EU law.

Under the EU reception conditions directive, IPAS residents and families are given access to housing, food, clothing and other necessities. Depending on their accommodation placement, residents will have access to self-catering facilities or will be provided with daily meals.

Supports are provided to people and families staying in IPAS centres to access community services in relation to their physical and mental health, educational opportunities and employment opportunities.

Residents in IPAS accommodation centres are entitled to a medical card and access GP services within the local community. Specialist health and social care services for families are accessed through primary care, GP referral, and emergency services.

In some larger IPAS Centres, in-reach medical or health care services may also be provided, through local arrangements with the health services in the area.

All children living in Ireland, including international protection applicants, are provided with access to education. When families become resident in an IPAS centre, the IPAS team connects them with local education services, the Tusla Education Support Service and REALT who assist with sourcing school places.

A Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA) is a weekly social welfare payment paid to asylum seekers by the Department of Social Protection. The maximum DEA weekly rate in 2025 is €38.80 for each adult and €29.80 for each child.

After six months, people who have applied for international protection are eligible to work if they have not received a first decision on their application.

In some cases, where a resident family is experiencing financial hardship, they may also be entitled to an Additional Needs Payment. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection. An Additional Needs Payment application is reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) who makes a decision.