Vol. 508 No. 3
140 Ms Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to allow asylum seekers to apply for work permits; the number of people who have already applied for the scheme; the number of successful applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19088/99]
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.
The Government decision means, in effect, that 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.
