Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

198. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the process for asylum seekers to apply for an employment permit first opened (details supplied); the number of asylum seekers that have applied for a permit under this process; the number of applications which were for a self-employed permit; the number of applications which have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14722/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Supreme Court’s decision to remove the absolute prohibition on International Protection applicants seeking access to the labour market took effect on February 9^thof this year.

From that day it became possible for International Protection applicants or their prospective employers to apply for an employment permit on the same basis as any non-EEA national. My Department has no role or function in this area. We do not set the regulations for employment permits or access to this permission, as this is done by my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. As a result my Department cannot receive or open applications for employment permits.

Following Government approval, I used my executive powers to introduce an administrative scheme to allow access for qualified applicants to engage in self-employment. The total number of Self Employment applications received is 401, of which 290 have been granted.