The immigration policy and procedures operated by my Department are summarised in a series of public information leaflets, which I recently placed in the Oireachtas Library for the information of Deputies. These leaflets are currently being reviewed and updated and should be regarded as subject to change. A major project is also under way in the law reform division of my Department to replace the Aliens Act, 1935 – which, together with orders made under it, constitutes the legal basis for immigration and residency control – with a modern code of immigration and residence law.
In so far as migration for the purposes of employment is concerned, with the exception of a number of clearly defined categories, non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals require a work permit prior to taking unemployment in Ireland. (The EEA consists of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.) The work permit scheme is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and decisions in respect of applications are taken by that Department having regard to, inter alia, the skills or qualifications of the person(s) concerned. My Department's primary function in relation to this scheme is in respect of the issuance of visas where required and I can assure the Deputy that these are issued in the overwhelming majority of cases where a work permit has been approved by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Further details regarding the process and the criteria applied are set out in an information note available from that Department.
As I have indicated in the past, I am prepared to consider new arrangements, including the establishment of a quota system, to facilitate immigration to Ireland to alleviate labour shortages. The press statement which was issued to announce the Government's decision allowing a certain group of asylum seekers to work also stated that we would issue visas on a limited basis to persons from non-EU countries to enable them to take up unfilled employment opportunities in Ireland and that the interdepartmental committee on immigration matters would be reconvened to decide the precise methodology to apply to the new arrangements. However, when the matter was discussed at the interdepartmental committee, I understand that the prevailing view was that the existing work permit system was operating well and responding satisfactorily to the emerging labour market needs of the economy. My position continues to be that I am open to considering any proposed change in present arrangements.
