Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

281. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers that sought permission to access the labour market; the number of successful applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39735/19]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, which came into effect from 30 June 2018, provide access to the labour market for eligible international protection applicants. The Regulations provide a wide access to both employment and self-employment in almost all sectors and categories of employment. There are a small number of exceptions, such as the Irish Civil and Public Service, An Garda Siochana and the Irish Defence Forces, due to their eligibility requirement of long-term residence or citizenship in the State.

I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that, since the introduction of the 2018 Regulations, a total of 4,697 international protection applicants have applied for a permission to access the labour market. Of those, 3,179 were granted a permission and 1,367 were refused as ineligible.  The table below sets out the figures in more detail.

* The pending figure includes applications which have not yet reached 9 months, and those awaiting the return of requested supporting documents.