Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2019
320. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that applied for, been refused and granted labour market access permission since 1 July 2018 under SI No. 230 of 2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018; the number of self-employed returns and employed returns since the same date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27613/19]
View answerThe European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 came into effect from 30 June 2018, and included access to the labour market for eligible international protection applicants. The Regulations provide access to both employment and self-employment.
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that as of 28 June, 2019, 3,993 applications for a labour market access permission have been received. 2,713 permissions have been granted, 1,160 have been refused as ineligible, and 120 are under consideration by INIS.
In cases where a person issued with a labour market access permission under the Regulations and takes up employment, the employer is obliged to inform the Minister within 21 days. Similarly, a person taking up self employment must inform the Minister within the same timeframe. A standard form for this purpose is available on the INIS website.
I am advised that a total of 1,229 persons have commenced employment or self-employment to date. The Deputy will appreciate that, arising from the 21 day notification period, there is likely to be a time lag between the actual date of commencement of employment or self-employment and INIS being notified of same and those cases are not reflected in the figures above.
