Written answers

Tuesday, 14 November 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Asylum Applications

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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192. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline his plans to ensure that no restrictions are placed on the type of work that asylum seekers can engage in while waiting for their asylum claims to be processed. [47627/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Supreme Court judgment in the case of N.V.H. v. The Minister for Justice and Equality found, on 30 May last, that in an international protection system with no temporal limits as to when the application process will be concluded, an absolute prohibition on the right to work for international protection applicants is contrary to the right to seek employment under the Constitution. The Court recognises that this is a matter for the Executive and Legislature to consider and accordingly has adjourned consideration of the Order the Court should make for a period of six months.

Following the approval of Government, I established an Inter-Departmental Taskforce to examine the wide-ranging implications of the judgment, and to consider appropriate solutions. The Taskforce is also examining the legal options available to the State to give effect to the judgment.

The Government is due to consider the report of the Taskforce shortly in preparation for the State's response to the Court judgment. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further in advance of the Government's deliberations on the matter.

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