Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 2

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Noel Ahern

Question:

144 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her policies in relation to entitlements and equality treatments of the families of persons attracted and encouraged here under work permits and more specifically working visa scheme for information technology and medical professionals; if the restrictions on wives, teenage and college student children getting full or part-time work can be lifted; if the need for work permits for these can be lifted as part of friendly family policies; if embassies and FÁS recruitment drives abroad are giving misleading information; if entitlements to second and third-level free fees can be outlined; and if changes can be brought forward in this regard. [13399/02]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

All persons coming to work in Ireland under the work permit or working visa/work authorisation facilities have the same rights in Irish law as Irish employees in similar circumstances. Furthermore, there is no nationality distinction in our social security framework and workers from overseas have the same entitlements as Irish employees in similar circumstances.

While persons from non-EEA countries given permission to work in Ireland may be joined by family members after a specific period, this is not accompanied by an automatic permission to work as the persons coming here do so as dependants of a person authorised to work. This is generally in line with international practice. Any proposal to admit potentially large numbers of persons to the labour market by virtue of their family ties rather than on the basis of their skills would obviously require careful consideration. I would expect that issues such as this would fall to be considered in the context of the review of immigration policy and practice being carried out by my Department and by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

I am not aware of any misleading information having been given by FÁS or our embassies abroad.

Questions relating to entitlement to second and third level education are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science.

Questions No. 145 and 146 answered with Question No. 93.