Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 8

Written Answers. - Employment of Non-EC Nationals.

Bernard Allen

Question:

104 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the serious allegations contained in the Irish Medical News dated 28 September 1992, that a substantial number of our foreign hospital doctors are either working or living here illegally as they do not hold the required visas or work permits as a result of confusion and departmental regulations and delays in the issue of these authorisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

If there is confusion about the matters raised by the Deputy in the question, it appears to arise principally in the mind of the author of the article in question.

In the various Aliens Orders made under the Aliens Act, 1935, it is stipulated that a non-EC National may not enter the service of an employer in the State save in accordance with a permit issued to the employer by the Minister for Labour.

I have been informed by the Minister for Labour that all employers are advised that work permit applications must be made six weeks in advance of the non-EC National taking up employment. I understand that the majority of applications for work permits in the medical sector are made in January and July each year. I further understand that it is not unusual for work permit applications to arrive a day or two before the commencement of employment, or even after the employment has commenced. The Department of Labour keeps this matter under review and I am informed that it has streamlined the process in consultation with relevant organisations, including the IMO, and that no undue delay occurs in processing medical work permit applications.

As a matter of policy visas are not approved or issued until the relevant work permit has been approved by the Department of Labour. Permission to remain in the State is, in general, not granted unless the person is able to furnish a copy of the relevant work permit to the Registration Officer of the Garda Síochána.

The important point is the necessity for the employer to apply six weeks in advance for the work permit and for the holder of the work permit to present it to the Registration Officer when seeking an extension of permission to remain in the State. If this time-table could be adhered to by all concerned, unnecessary difficulties could not be created.

Finally, my office recently received a telephone request for a meeting from the Industrial Relations Officer of the IMO I have arranged for an official of my Department to meet the Industrial Relations Officer to discuss any matter that might be of concern to them.