Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
515. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the average and mean processing times for applications for labour market access permission and a breakdown of those decisions made in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23282/23]
View answerSince its introduction in June 2018, under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), the labour market access permission issued by my Department has had a very positive impact for international protection applicants and employers alike. Over 13,000 first labour market access permissions have been granted to date.
This permission gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State’s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection.
The 2018 Regulations, as amended, provide access to both employment and self-employment for any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within six months of making their international protection application, provided that this situation cannot be attributed to the applicant.
The European Communities (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 52 of 2021) reduced the waiting period for labour market access for international protection applicants to 6 months and extended the validity of a labour market access permission to 12 months from the date of issue, with effect from 9 February 2021. The permission may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
Last year, 4,772 first permits were issued and 1,603 renewals were granted. To date (30 April) in 2023, some 3,554 first permits have already issued. From 30 June 2018 – 30 April 2023, a total of 18,509 applications have been processed by my Department for a first labour market access permission. Of these applications, approximately 85% (15,740) have been granted and 2,769 have been refused.
The average processing times for applications received and processed in 2023 is 55 days and the median processing time is 53 days.
The Labour Market Access processing team is experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications at the moment. This reflects the increase in applications for international protection last year and in particular for the months May – July 2022. The Labour Market Access processing team have increased their processing capacity to 1,000 permits per month and this is reflected in the permits granted in 2023 to date. The Labour Market Access processing team are proactively identifying applications for permit renewals so that those already in employment are unaffected.
Justice Plan 2023 commits to reviewing the impact of the Access to Labour Market improvements introduced in 2021. The review is due to be completed in the first half of the year.
