Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State. If a person is in the international protection process, there is a legal requirement under the International Protection Act 2015 to maintain full confidentiality at all times.

However, if an application for international protection has been made in the State, the applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly with any queries. This will enable a full and comprehensive reply to be provided.

The International Protection Office may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie ; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028000 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.

The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie ; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.

As the Deputy may be aware, access to the labour market is provided under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 to 2021 and applications are made to the Labour Market Access Unit of this Department.

Labour market access 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.

Applicants are eligible to apply if:

• They are an international protection applicant; and

• They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and

• They are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant.

Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation.

This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.

Any queries in relation to a person's eligibility or otherwise for a labour market permission can be directed to: Lmauqueries@justice.ie or by post to the ISD Labour Market Access Unit, PO Box 12931, Freepost FDN5264, Dublin 2

Further information in relation to Labour Market Access, including how to apply for labour market access permission can be found at:

www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/labour-market-access-permission/

My Department's website also provides a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at:

www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/