We do not have working visas at present. We are introducing them now. A person can get a working visa abroad. When that person comes to Ireland and takes up employment, he or she can move from one employer to another. At present an employer makes an application and has to prove to the satisfaction of the deciding officer in the Department that he or she cannot find an Irish person or an EEA person who is qualified to do the job before being granted the permit. When the permit is granted the employee cannot move to other employment but can work only for the employer to whom the permit was granted. It is a process that obviously takes some time because of the proofs and so on that are required. Here, all that is required is for an employer, or in the case of an employment agency working on behalf of an employer, to identify people overseas who have particular skills, offer them employment and a letter to that effect and a visa will be issued.
In relation to their families, at present a person coming from a non-visa country can bring his or her spouse and family to Ireland. This procedure has been in place for some time and is similar to the procedure in the UK because of the common travel area. Others coming from visa countries cannot do so for a year. That is in line with most other European countries.
We have not made a final decision on when spouses and children can come. We are in discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I would like to be able to facilitate people who come to the country and I would like them to be able to bring their families. Provided they are in good employment and can provide for their families, it is desirable that their families should be with them, if that is what they wish.
