One in four people living in Direct Provision have had their application to work refused.
Meanwhile, a third of people who have applied are now working or self-employed, figures show.
A recent report from the Irish Refugee Council revealed 19% of people in Direct Provision who were working had lost their posts in the pandemic.
Since 2018, asylum seekers have been able to apply for Labour Market Access Permits which give them the right to work.
A freedom of information request shows the Department of Justice received 6,767 permit applications since 2018.
In total, 4,854 have been granted while 1,747 (26%) applications were refused as they “did not meet the criteria”.
A total of 2,285 applicants said they have started employment or self-employment – 34% of the total applications.
Fiona Hurley of the Nasc Migrant and Refugee Rights group said the fact permits are only valid for six months is off-putting.
She added: “Presently, asylum seekers must wait for nine months before they are eligible to apply for an LMAP.
“Nasc is calling for that time period to be reduced to three months.”
