Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 4

Written Answers. - Certificates of Registration.

Joe Higgins

Question:

351 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby information stamped on the certification of registration issued to students from non-EU countries on entering the State has not been amended to reflect the statement issued on 26 June 2001 by his Department entitling non-EU nationals with permission to remain here as students to take up casual employment for the duration of their permission to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30612/01]

Joe Higgins

Question:

352 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if and when he plans to amend the information stamped on the certification of registration issued to students from non-EU countries on entering the State to state clearly that such students are entitled to take up casual employment for the duration of their permission to remain. [30613/01]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 352 together.

Non-EEA nationals who have permission to remain in the State as students are entitled to take up casual employment while pursuing their course of studies here. This entitlement came into effect in April 2001. Arrangements are being made, in consultation with the Garda national immigration bureau, to amend the stamp currently used to endorse the passports of such students so that casual employment is explicitly exempted from the general prohibition on employment. It is planned to commence replacing the old stamp early in the new year.

My Department's information note on this subject, which has been widely distributed, makes it clear that the entitlement to take up casual employment had immediate effect and was not dependent on the stamp being amended. It was considered neither practical nor reasonable to require all such students to attend again at Garda registration offices for the purpose of have their permission to remain stamps amended or to preclude them from deriving benefit from the new entitlement in the absence of an amended stamp.