Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Noel Ahern

Question:

313 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the regulations in relation to a non-national who has worked here under a work permit for five years with the one employer and is seeking other work as the employer has withdrawn from the country; if this person must get another work permit; if, after five years having a work permit and paying tax, this person's status has improved; if this person can continue to work without a permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20812/01]

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

Matters relating to the granting of work permits as well as labour migration generally are the responsibility of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

In so far as the Deputy's question pertains to more general immigration matters, the position is that Irish immigration law does not contain any provision for granting a special status to persons on the basis of a particular length of residence. However, an administrative practice exists whereby a Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may at his or her discretion grant permission to remain to a person for a five year period where that person has already resided legally in the State for five years. That permission does not, however, obviate the necessity to obtain a work permit or a visa if required.

It is also of course open to a person to apply for naturalisation, provided he or she fulfils the necessary conditions, one of which is that he or she has resided in the State for five years in the preceding nine year period, including the year immediately prior to the making of the application. As a naturalised Irish citizen, the person would of course no longer be subject to Irish immigration requirements.