The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) has called on the Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to increase direct provision payments in the Budget to those awaiting decisions on their asylum status.
Since 2000, people waiting for the Government to decide on their claim for asylum or other forms of protection have not been allowed to work. Instead they receive accommodation and food in a direct provision centre with a weekly allowance of €19.10 for each adult and €9.60 per child.
In its pre-Budget submission the IRC has called for the allowance to be increased to €60 per adult and €35 per child. The council estimates this would cost the Exchequer €16.2 million.
The council say that direct provision is an inhumane system which means asylum seekers cannot work, study or cook food.
Deo Ladislas Ndakengerwa, policy and campaigns officer with the Irish Refugee Council said: "Asylum Seekers are not allowed to work and as a result have to live on a weekly cash payment of €19.10. This increases their isolation and makes it very difficult for Asylum Seekers to mix with Irish people".
The IRC are also calling for the Government to restore child benefits as a universal payment. Since 2004, children unable to fulfill the Habitual Residence Condition do not recieve child benefit.
Figures from the Reception and Integration Agency show that 1,988 children among the 6,000 asylum seekers were in Direct Provision in September.
The submission also calls for the government to provide a dedicated funding line for ethnic minority-led organisations to "enhance their capacity and help prevent the marginalisation of black and minority ethnic communities in Irish society".