Vol. 516 No. 5
108 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications received for work permits from asylum seekers since the Government decision of July 1999; the number of theses applications granted; the plans, if any, she has to simplify the procedures involved in securing these permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8006/00]
The position as regards asylum seekers who were granted the right to seek work under the terms of the Government decision of July last has already been simplified.
The Government subsequently decided, in December 1999, that employers would no longer require work permits to take on these individuals and that the people concerned would instead be issued with identification or verification letters by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which they can present to potential employers when seeking employment.
At the point where the second Government decision was made, December 1999, a total of 99 applications for work permits in respect of eligible asylum seekers had been received by my Department. Of these a total of 56 had been issued at that point and a further 11 approved, which were subsequently issued.
