Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1543.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of temporary protection certificates that have been voluntarily terminated by people living here under the temporary protection directive who intend to leave the State, broken down by year and month, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32296/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the table below outlines the number of individuals who have voluntarily withdrawn their Temporary Protection status by month and year, since March 2022.

It should be noted that these figures reflect the number who have withdrawn from the process, and does not include people who have left the State without formally withdrawing.

Voluntary withdrawals from Temporary Protection by month and year

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1544.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current processing times for new applications and renewals for labour market access permission for international protection applicants who apply through the new online portal; if there is a grace period for those currently in employment and who are awaiting renewal of their permission but have been affected by delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32297/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), persons are eligible to apply for labour market access permission 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.

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 a corresponding increase in renewal applications.

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 10 weeks.

The Labour Market Access Unit is working to finalise applications as quickly as possible and appreciates 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.

The IPO endeavours to prioritise renewal applications which may affect an applicant’s permission to work within the state, where possible. In the meantime the issue of permissions expiring is being addressed by encouraging earlier applications for renewals and also allowing applicants to continue to work while waiting for renewal. This will be done through an email confirmation once an applicant applies to be renewed and can be verified by the employer through a dedicated email address.

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/