Working asylum seekers will be required to make a financial contribution towards their housing and other State supports under new Government plans.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast from the Fine Gael think-in event in Tullamore this morning, Simon Harris said the move will help “maintain social cohesion” in Ireland.

Currently, asylum seekers living in State accommodation are entitled to €38.80 a week, while children receive €29.80.

They also receive meals and a medical card.

Asylum seekers are entitled to work in Ireland from six months after they first applied for international protection – and must pay income tax on the wages they receive.

The Taoiseach told Ciara Kelly that they may soon be asked to contribute towards the supports they receive, in addition to the tax they pay.

“I believe now is the time to say that if you are an asylum seeker in Ireland and have an income - now I am not talking about people who don’t - if you have an income and a right to work, you should pay a contribution towards the services you receive,” he said.

“I would like to see Government make that decision because I think that helps maintain social cohesion.”

Immigration

Mr Harris said the change was not meant to appease the far-right – insisting he was working to help “good, decent people around the country” who have concerns around immigration.

He said he has always “fully accepted” that extremists are not the only people concerned about immigration in Ireland.

“My only upset is that [the issue] has been hijacked by people who steal our flag and assault our Gardaí,” he said.

“The reality is we should always differentiate between people in communities who have legitimate questions and want to ask questions and we should support them.

“What I'm saying to people though is this, I know the Irish people are compassionate when it comes to migration – they know the benefits of migration, they see it in their hospitals, they see it in their shops, they see it right across our country.

“But Irish people also have another great trait and it's called common sense and when the migration policy doesn't pass that test, they're not very happy.

“That's why, when I became Taoiseach, we've taken a number of steps to try and inject common sense.”

Asylum system

The Taoiseach said he was not seeking to tighten the rules around immigration – but was looking to implement “a better application of the existing rules”.

“I mean, there are already a lot of rules in place and I think what people want to see is the rules enforced,” he said.

“They want to see, if you have a right to be here, you get a quick yes, you get supported, you get integrated and you pay your contribution to Irish society, as many people do and I'm grateful to them for doing it.

“If you don't have a right to be here, you get a quick no and you get asked to leave and if you don't leave, we’ll ensure you leave more quickly as well.

“So it's about having a fair, firm, rules-based system.

“We have made good progress and we need to continue and politicians of the centre like me can't get off the pitch here and allow this space to be occupied by the extremes.”

The Taoiseach also discussed the Apple tax windfall, childcare, his plans for the Budget and the upcoming election in his Newstalk Breakfast interview.