Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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477. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will support lifting the restrictions on the right to work, to allow all asylum seekers to work and implementing all the recommendations of a group (details supplied) in relation to the right to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9509/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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. Over 12,000 first labour market access permissions have been granted to date.

This permission gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State’s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection.

The Regulations provide access to both employment and self-employment for any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within six months of making their international protection application, provided that this situation cannot be attributed, or attributed in part, to the applicant.

The European Communities (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 52 of 2021) reduced the waiting period for labour market access for international protection applicants to 6 months and extended the validity of a labour market access permission to 12 months, with effect from 9 February 2021.

Regarding the reduction in the waiting period for access to the labour market to 3 months as recommended by the Catherine Day Report, the reduction of the waiting period to 6 months was guided by the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Direct Provision and the Review of Access to the Labour Market for persons seeking international protection.

The review of access to the labour market also recommended that the changes implemented should be reviewed 1 year after implementation and that a qualitative survey be carried out on the effects of the change in policy since 2018.

The Department of Justice has undertaken a qualitative study of the experiences of international protection applicants in accessing the labour market, which will inform the quantitative element of the overall study, with a view to publishing the final report in due course.

As recommended by the Catherine Day Expert Advisory Group, the Department of Justice is currently at an early investigative stage in the process of changing the labour market access permission letter to a card format.