Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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473. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of the number of international protection applicants who have been awarded labour market access permission; the number of international protection applicants who are awaiting a decision on labour market access permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9484/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 in the State.

Since its introduction in June 2018, under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), the labour market access permission issued by my Department has had a very positive impact for international protection applicants and employers alike.

The 2018 Regulations, as amended, 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 providing that they have co-operated with the international protection process. Labour market access permission 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.

From 30 June 2018 – 1 January 2023, a total of 15, 136 applications have been processed by my Department for a first labour market access permission. Of these applications, approximately 80% (12,181) have been granted and 2,731 have been refused. Last year, 4,773 first permits were issued and 1,603 renewals were granted. To date in 2023, some 1,500 first permits have already issued.

Currently 521 applications are pending. Applications that are categorised as pending are where the Labour Market Access Unit (LMAU) have queried something with the applicant and are awaiting a response.

The LMAU is experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications at the moment. This reflects the increase in applications for international protection last year and in particular for the months May – July 2022. The LMAU have increased their processing capacity to 1,000 permits per month and this is reflected in the permits granted in 2023 to date.

The LMAU are working to reduce its current backlog to process all applications within 1 month and expect to accomplish this within the next 8 weeks. The LMAU are also proactively identifying applications for permit renewals so that those already in employment are unaffected.