Asylum seekers with jobs should pay towards accommodation, Harris says

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Asylum seekers who have incomes should be asked to financially contribute towards State accommodation and services provided to them, the Taoiseach has said.

International protection applicants can seek permission to work if their application has not been processed for five months, with the permit being valid after six months.

Simon Harris said the Government has not made a decision on the matter, but added: “I believe they should have to – if you’re earning an income.”

Mr Harris said: “There’s people in this country who come here and seek international protection who do have a right to work – and by the way, we’re very pleased they do work and I thank them for the contribution they make to the Irish economy.

“I do think it’s fair, though, that if you’re working and earning an income that you make some contribution towards the services the State is providing.”

He told RTÉ radio: “Government needs to make a decision on this as a collective, we have had a number of reviews and works being done.

“We’ve taken a number of decisions in recent weeks and months to try and make sure our immigration system is fair.

“Irish people, I think, want two things when it comes to migration: compassion and common sense.

“And I think we need to look at this through that lens, and I hope we can make a decision on this within a few short weeks.”