Since the announcement of the Government decision of 26 July in relation to asylum seekers a total of 50 applications for work permits in respect of such persons have been received by my Department. To date a total of 15 permits have been issued. The balance have either been withdrawn, refused on grounds of ineligibility or are being examined in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
In so far as the issue of work permits is concerned, my Department deals directly with the employer as it is primarily concerned with filling the job in question. It is not in a position to check out the bona fides, or otherwise, of the person on whose behalf the permit is being sought. That is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which has overall responsibility for immigration policy. Clearly, my Department will liaise closely with that Department in relation to those cases arising from the recent Government decision. However, my Department will remain the single point of contact for employers and the work permits will continue to issue to the relevant employer(s) as that is where the positions arise.
Prosecutions for working without a permit are a matter for the Garda Síochána in the enforcement of the Aliens Acts and my Department does not maintain any statistics on such cases.
