Background:

Given the large numbers of international protection applicants currently being accommodated in the Republic of Ireland, Ireland is exploring options for introducing financial contributions from residents in its international protection reception centres under certain circumstances (e.g. if they have salaried employment), as provided for in the Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU) (transposed in Ireland under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (SI No. 230/2018)).

As part of this process, the International Protection Accommodation Service in Ireland is seeking to better understand other EMN Member and Observer countries’ approaches to financial contributions in the context of reception for international protection applicants.

Respondents:

24 EMN Member and Observer Countries (including BE) provided a public answer to this ad hoc query.

Findings:

A preliminary analysis of the results of the ad hoc query shows that:

• Out of 24 responding countries, 10 (including BE) indicate to require financial contributions from international protection applicants accommodated in reception centres in certain situations.
   
• Some EMN countries which do not require financial contributions from international protection applicants accommodated in reception centres, do end or limit the cash assistance if applicants have financial resources that exceed a certain amount as is the case in GR and ES.
   
• Whether applicants have financial resources is determined based on self-declaration. In DE and BE, automated data comparisons are also carried out.

Furthermore, the ad hoc query looks into the income-related requirements, the income limits used, the rates of the financial contributions requested, who collects the contribution and how, and finally, what happens if somebody does not pay the financial contribution.

For further details, please read the compilation of answers attached above.