Vol. 508 No. 3
137 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a work permit was refused to a person (details supplied) following an application by a business (details supplied) in County Dublin; the circumstances whereby this person can be allowed work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18991/99]
The reason an application for a work permit in the case in question was refused was because the person concerned did not come within the terms of the recent Government decision.
On 26 July 1999 the Government decided 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.
In this case the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform advised my Department that a final, negative, determination had, in fact, been made in respect of the person concerned.
Accordingly, the application for a work permit was refused and the applicant was so notified on 8 September.
138 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the circumstances in which a work permit can issue to a foreign national or a refugee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18992/99]
In the case of non nationals who are recognised refugees my Department have agreed, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, that they no longer require work permits to work in this country.
In the case of other non-European economic area nationals work permits are required by an employer who wishes to employ such persons and application for such permits must be made to my Department. Such applications are examined and permits are issued where appropriate.
On 26 July the Government decided that those asylum seekers who had been in the 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 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.
