John McGuinness
Question:142 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied); and if the application can be expedited. [13337/01]
Written Answers - Work Permits.
Applications for work permits are dealt with by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and accord ingly, are a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. However, in general, asylum seekers do not have the right to work pending a final decision on their applications. However, as an exceptional measure, the Government agreed on 26 July 1999, that those asylum seekers who were in this country for more than 12 months and who were awaiting a final decision on their application for refugee status should be given the right to work. The arrangement applied to those who sought asylum here up to 26 July 1999, as soon as they crossed the 12 month threshold. The arrangement did not apply to persons who applied for asylum after 26 July 1999.