The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 which I signed into effect from 30 July 2018 includes access to the labour market for qualified international protection applicants. The Regulations provide access to both employment and self-employment in all sectors and categories of employment with the exception of the Civil and Public Service, An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces.
I am advised by the Labour Market Access Unit of my Department that since the introduction of the Regulations, 2,466 international protection applicants have applied for a permission to access the labour market of which 1,689 were granted a permission and 714 were ineligible. The number of applicants who have applied for and been granted a permission (1,689) represents just over 40% of those estimated to be eligible for a permission under the Regulations.
When an international protection applicant is employed or self-employed the employer, or in the case of self-employment the applicant, is obliged to inform me within 21 days. This is done by way of a standard form made available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
Based on the returned declaration forms received to date I am advised that a total of 487 applicants have commenced employment or self-employment. As the employer or applicant has 21 days from the time they take up employment or self-employment to return the declaration form, there is likely to be a time lag between the actual date of commencement of employment and INIS being notified of same and this will not be reflected in the figures quoted.