Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 1

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

95 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for work permits received from asylum seekers since the Government's decision of July 1999; the number of these applications granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3495/00]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

This issue was the subject of a further Government decision on 14 December last. At that point a total of 99 applications for work permits in respect of eligible asylum seekers had been received by my Department, of which 56 had been issued and a further 11 approved.

Since 14 December the Government has decided that asylum seekers covered by the original July decision will no longer require work permits. Instead they will be issued with an identification or verification letter by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which they can present to potential employers when seeking employment.