Asylum seekers are playing a role in addressing Ireland's “labour market shortages,” according to the Integration Minister.

Roderic O’Gorman said the six-month waiting period for asylum seekers to work after arrival “works well” and allows them to “contribute back to society”.

It follows suggestions that the waiting period should be extended to nine months to deter the high numbers of asylum seekers arriving here.

Some 8,000 people have already sought asylum in Ireland in the year to date.

'Works well'

Minister O’Gorman said he has no plans to change the waiting period for when they can work.

“I think the six-month period works well in terms of ensuring that international protection applicants, when they’re here, are able to contribute back to society,” he said.

“We know we have labour market shortages and we also know one of the accusations that are sometimes put when international protection accommodation is located somewhere is, ‘People are hanging around’.

“If people want the opportunity to work, we should take advantage of that.”

A breakdown of asylum seeker arrivals to Ireland in the seven days ending on May 12th. Image: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

There were 5,644 people with permission to live and work in the country in International Protection accommodation services at the end of last month, according to figures from the Department of Integration.

Sources within the Coalition say charging rent to those with who remain in state-provided accommodation is now being considered.

'Good track record'

However, Minister O’Gorman said charging asylum seekers rent is not his current focus.

“My focus is on supporting people to leave International Protection accommodation,” he said.

“That’s why we’ve contracted a number of NGOs to give specific advice and support to people looking to move out of accommodation.

“There were 700 in 2022, 2,000 last year, 1,400 in the first four months of this year – we’re getting better at supporting people to move on.

“My priority is to support people to move on and we’ve demonstrated a good track record in terms of speeding that up and supporting people.”

Asylum seeker tents on the Grand Canal. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

Minister O’Gorman said Ireland is not the only country where there has been a spike in claims for asylum.

“Every European country is seeing an increase in International Protection applicants,” he said.

“It’s because of the violence we see in places like Syria, Afghanistan, now Palestine, and a whole host of economic and social pressures we see in the Middle East and Africa.”

There are now 30,256 asylum seekers in State accommodation.

Main image: Asylum seekers in tents at Grand Canal, 10/05/2024. Image: John Keogh