Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2018
159. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the terms of the opt-in to the EU receptions directive, including the conditions of asylum seekers' access to work, will be announced; if provisions will be made to reduce restrictions to the right to work as the policy stands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28120/18]
View answerTogether with Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration, I made an announcement today in regard to these matters. The Government has approved a broad and generous access to the labour market for qualified applicants amongst a number of other important reforms in a range of areas covered by the Directive including reception conditions for applicants, improved identification of vulnerability and children’s rights. These measures are a further step on the road we have pursued in recent years to significantly reform our protection process.
Under the Directive, asylum seekers will have access to the labour market nine months from the date when their protection application was lodged, if they have yet to receive a first instance recommendation from the International Protection Office, and if they have cooperated with the process.
Eligible applicants may apply for a labour market permission, which covers both employment and self-employment. The Labour Market Access Unit (LMAU) of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), on my behalf, will process applications. The permission will be granted to eligible applicants for six months and will be renewable until there is a final decision on their protection application. Eligible applicants will have access to almost all sectors of employment.
The Directive also includes important provisions in relation to health, education, children’s rights, and material reception conditions for applicants, which include housing, food, clothing and a daily expense allowance. These other benefits will apply to all applicants in the protection process regardless of when they made their application.
The Directive will bring the State into line with standards across the EU Member States for reception conditions for international protection applicants, including standards in accommodation centres. This continues the recent and ongoing positive work carried out to enhance living arrangements for applicants and their families, and to further provide a wide range of supports and services to asylum seekers. Participation in the Directive is another important step in the reform of our international protection and reception systems.
An information campaign is being launched to ensure that applicants, employers, trade unions, NGOs and all other relevant bodies are fully informed of the labour market access and eligibility arrangements that will apply. Full details and an application form will also be available on the INIS website (www.inis.gov.ie).
