Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
474. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for processing applications for labour market access permits for international protection applicants; and the average waiting times for renewal of same. [18084/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), persons are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if:
- They are an international protection applicant; and
- They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and
- They are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant.
Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
When a person is granted a refugee status, they no longer need a Labour Market Access permission. At this point they are given a Stamp 4 immigration permission which allows them to work.
From the 1st of February 2024 the process of applying for Labour Market Access for International Protection Applicants has moved to the International Protection Office with a new online application process. The new system will provide a more streamlined process and provide shorter processing times for all new applications. From the 1st of February all applications are dealt with through the new online form that is available on our website. The current processing time for these applications, including renewals, is 28 days.
All legacy applications, made prior to the 1st of February, are being processed by the Immigration Service Delivery and will be dealt with in chronological order. This system is currently processing applications made in December 2023 and the processing time for these are approximately 120 days. The Immigration Services of my Department try to prioritise any legacy renewals when possible.
A significant increase in the number of applications was experienced during 2023, reflecting the increase of overall applications for international protection received since 2022. There has also been an increase in renewal applications.
The immigration services of the Department utilise the resources available in order to ensure that applications are processed in the shortest time frame possible. Both units in question are working to finalise applications as quickly as possible and appreciate customers’ patience as they deal with the very high levels of applications. The Department is also reviewing the processing arrangements generally to establish if they can be further streamlined.
