Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1382. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications received, granted and refused respectively for labour market access permission for international protection applicants from July 2018 to date in 2021; the number currently in employment; the number of those residing in direct provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40262/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, international protection applicants are not required to apply for an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to legally obtain employment. Access is provided under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 to 2021. These Regulations transpose the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive and came into operation from 30 June 2018. 

The Regulations provide access to both employment and self-employment for any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within 6 months of making their international protection application and provided that they have cooperated with the international protection process. 

Applications are made to the Labour Market Access Unit (LMAU) of my Department. If the application is successful, a labour market access permission is granted, which is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.

Up to and including 21 July 2021, a total of 9,187 applications have been received for a labour market access permission. Of these applications, almost three quarters (6,837) have been granted and 2,149 have been refused, with 201 applications pending. The pending figure includes applications which have not yet reached the 6 months criterion, and those where the return of requested supporting documents is awaited. The majority of cases pending are ultimately granted. Reasons for refusal generally relate to the applicant not yet reaching the 6 month timeframe or where a first instance decision has already been made on the application.   

Of the applications granted a permission, a total of 4,091 have returned their LMA5 form to my Department indicating that they have found employment. Of this number, a total of 2,913 or 72% are residing in Direct Provision accommodation provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.