Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 3

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.

Ivor Callely

Question:

154 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of the 3,535 asylum seekers who have the right to work and who are employed; the percentage on FÁS training schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28455/01]

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

Asylum seekers in general do not have the right to work pending a final decision on their applications. Under the Government decision of 26 July 1999, however, some 3,535 asylum seekers were given the right to work. We do not have information on the number or percentage of these asylum seekers who are in actual employment.

The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs has advised that, at present, of the 3,535 persons eligible to work, approximately 1,950 – 55% – were no longer claiming social welfare payments. FÁS has advised that, to date, some 1,662 persons – 47% of those eligible to work – have been placed in employment. However, some of these may have subsequently lost or left such employment. The number currently in training with FÁS is 188, or 5%.