Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Employment Permits.

Michael Ring

Question:

318 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a non-EU national was refused leave to land on the basis of not having a valid permit for employment in view of the fact that she was coming to Ireland as an au pair and work permits do not issue to au pairs. [18057/97]

Michael Ring

Question:

319 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which an Irish national can employ a non-EU national as an au pair. [18058/97]

Michael Ring

Question:

320 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Estonians who were issued with visas or given leave to land in Ireland since 1 January 1997; and the number of Estonians who were turned away. [18059/97]

Michael Ring

Question:

321 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the regulations, if any, in accordance with statutory provisions, whereby an Estonian au pair can be given leave to land by immigrations officials; and if he will give a guarantee that these persons will not be turned away on arrival in Ireland if these regulations are adhered to. [18060/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 318, 319, 320 and 321 together.

Persons who are seeking leave to enter Ireland must satisfy a number of statutory conditions before an immigration officer can grant them leave to land. The statutory conditions which must be met are set out in the various orders made under the Aliens Act, 1935.

As I have already stated to the Deputy in my reply to his question on 23 October in the case of three Estonian nationals which he has raised, immigration officers, from the information given on the arrival of the persons in question, were satisfied that work permits were required by law for the purpose of their stay here. As they did not have such permits they were refused leave to land.

Questions regarding the issue of work permits are matters for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

In so far as the granting of leave to land is concerned the position is, as I have said already, that the statutory conditions which must be met are set out in the various orders made under the Aliens Act, 1935. Once persons satisfy immigration officers that they meet those conditions, leave to land is granted including to those coming here as au pairs and intending to follow courses of study.

Three Estonians have been refused leave to land since 1 January 1997.