Vol. 572 No. 3
180 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person who has a valid work permit until November 2003 can continue working here until the end of January 2004 when they will be returning home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22879/03]
The Employment Permits Act 2003 requires that an employer must have a valid employment permit in order to employ a non-EEA national. Employing such a person or being in employment in the State, in the absence of a valid employment permit constitutes a criminal offence for the employer and employee respectively.
If a person in the situation cited by the Deputy wishes to continue in employment after November 2003, they should ensure that the employer in question has a valid employment permit for the period November 2003-January 2004.
