Vol. 508 No. 1
154 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which the changes which allow those seeking refugee status to work when their applications are waiting one year works; if work permits are still required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17659/99]
On 26 July 1999 the Government decided, as an exceptional measure, that those asylum seekers who had been in this country for more than 12 months and who were still awaiting a determination of their application for refugee status should be given the right to seek work here. The Government decided that the new arrangement should also apply to those who had sought asylum here up to 26 July 1999 as soon as they crossed the 12 month threshold. In addition, the decision specified that the people concerned must also have been complying with their obligations as asylum seekers.
The Government decision means, in effect, that the asylum seekers, in the category referred to, may now lawfully seek employment and requests from employers for work permits to employ them will be generally facilitated.
