Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
881. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice since reform in January 2021, how many international protection applicants have sought work after six months of waiting for a decision on their international protection application; and the percentage of international protection applicants that are currently in employment. [27484/23]
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 16,000 first labour market access permissions have been granted to date.
The waiting period for labour market access for international protection applicants was reduced to 6 months and the validity of a labour market access permission was extended 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.
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.
From January 2021 to 31st May 2023, 11,894 first-time applications and 4,944 renewal applications have been received. In total, since 2018 6,222 separate individuals have returned at least one LMA5 form, which records that they had found employment at some point over that time. However, records are not maintained in a manner that would enable the Department to give a breakdown of persons currently in the international protection process who are in employment at this point in time.
