Catherine Sanz, Ireland Reporter



People have protested outside Leinster House in the past about direct provision centresSAM BOAL/PHOTOCALL IRELAND/ROLLINGNEWS


Asylum seekers who secure employment could be charged more than €1,000 a month for board and lodging and would not be able to apply for a driving licence.


The government announced this week that it would permit asylum seekers to work in almost all areas of employment while their application for refugee status was considered.


The Department of Justice said yesterday that people who had been working for 12 weeks or more would be required to contribute to their living costs at direct provision centres. It said the amount would reflect their salary but was capped at €238 a week, which is what the state has calculated as the cost of housing an asylum seeker.