Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
606. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for employment permits by persons at a centre (details supplied) made since the Supreme Court ruling granting asylum seekers the right to work; and the number of these applications that have been successful. [14998/18]
View answerFrom February 9th 2018, when section 16(3)(b) International Protection Act 2015 was struck down by the Supreme Court, until the date of entry into force of the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive, any eligible international protection applicants can access the employment permit system on the same basis as other non-EEA nationals. The opt-in process, involving formal discussions with the European Commission to ensure compliance with each aspect of the Directive, is expected to take four months to complete. The interim arrangements for the short period prior to the opt-in enables those seeking international protection to access the labour market through the Employment Permit Acts.
To date no applications for an employment permit have been received by my Department from International Protection applicants from the Mosney Direct Provision Centre in Co Meath.
