Vol. 537 No. 2
111 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if persons (details supplied) in County Kildare will be allocated a work permit; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15883/01]
I understand that the individuals concerned are currently seeking asylum.
The issue of asylum seekers is a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Under section 9(4)(6) of the Refugee Act, 1996 persons who have applied for refugee status are prohibited from seeking or entering employment or carrying on any business, trade or profession during the period before the final determination of their application. Such persons are of course free to engage in voluntary work pending a determination on their application.
If asylum seekers should prove successful in their application for refugee status they will not, then, require work permits to take up employment here.
