Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) can expect to hear the outcome of their application made for a labour market access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26636/24]

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. Therefore the Department is unable to publish any information that would identify an international protection applicant.

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, as appropriate. This will enable a full and comprehensive reply to be provided.

Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in deciding whether or not to grant international protection. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law.

In order to be helpful I have detailed information on labour market access permission that may be useful below:

From February 2024 the process of applying for Labour Market Access for International Protection applicants has moved to the International Protection Office (IPO) with a new online application process. The new system has provided a more streamlined process and shorter processing times for all new applications. The current processing time for these applications is 8 weeks.

All applications made prior to the this date, are being processed by the Immigration Service Delivery and are being dealt with in chronological order. This system is currently processing applications made in February 2024 and the processing time for these are approximately 17 weeks.

A significant increase in the number of applications was experienced during 2023, reflecting the increase of overall applications for international protection received since 2022. There has also been an increase in renewal applications.

The immigration services of the Department utilise the resources available in order to ensure that applications are processed in the shortest time frame possible. Both units in question are working to finalise applications as quickly as possible and appreciate customers’ patience as they deal with the very high levels of applications. The Department is also reviewing the processing arrangements generally to establish if they can be further streamlined.

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

More information and further details on labour market access permission is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/labour-market-access-permission/.