I propose that the petitions considered by the committee at this meeting and previous meetings may be published, and that the replies from the Departments and other bodies may be published. Is that agreed? Agreed.
We have four petitions for consideration. The first is P00002/24 and is entitled "Fairness for Existing Work Permit Holders: We want to stay and contribute". It was submitted by Mr. Ka Wai Ho and reads as follows:
As an individual deeply affected by the recent change in the minimum salary requirement for General Employment Permits, I am seeking your support through this petition. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has announced an increase to €39,000, effective from January 2025. This sudden and significant increase has left many permit holders, including myself, facing an uncertain future in Ireland.
While I understand and respect the government's need to regulate in the best interest of the nation, I am deeply concerned about the potential impact this change could have on my life and the lives of many others. We have made Ireland our home, contributing to its economic growth and societal diversity.
This petition is not in opposition to the policy change, but rather a plea for consideration for those of us who are existing permit holders. The prospect of potentially having to leave the country due to not meeting the new salary requirement is deeply unsettling.
I urge the government to consider a transition plan or a grandfather clause for existing permit holders, allowing those of us who have been contributing to Irish society to continue to do so without fear of displacement.
I kindly request your support in this matter. Your signature can help ensure that my voice, and the voices of others in my situation, are heard. Thank you for your consideration.
Before submitting this petition, the petitioner reached out to the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, expressing his concerns about the new minimum salary requirement for general employment permits and he asked for clarification on whether this change will apply to existing permit holders. The petitioner has contacted all local Wexford TDs, seeking their assistance and guidance on this matter. He says that these actions demonstrate his commitment to resolving this issue through open communication and dialogue with relevant parties. He goes on to say that he has made sincere efforts to understand the implications of the new policy, to seek clarifications, and to explore possible solutions within his professional environment.
The background to this is that a response was received from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which was forwarded to the petitioner for comment. The petitioner replied and the secretariat forwarded the correspondence from the petitioner to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for comment and received a response.
The recommendation is that the correspondence from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Next is P00036/24, "Action needed for derelict buildings in Youghal, County Cork", from Ms Irene Karrouze. It states:
Many of you will know my parents have lived at 31 Friar Street for the past 52 years, they take pride in their house and maintain it to a good standard. They have worked hard, pay their taxes including their property tax. They are adjoined to 30 Friar Street, once a historical building now vacant and left to ruin. Living next to a derelict building has a very negative impact if you are attached. 30 Friar Street has no roof therefore the weather is causing the interior of the building to collapse causing damp and infestation of rodents especially in the winter months. Going to bed every night not knowing if the wall your bed is against may collapse is very stressful for my parents. This is compounded by the concerns over the potential danger to pedestrians if the beam collapses and falls through one of the front windows onto Friar Street. My father has asked the town hall councillors for help over this matter for over three years. As there has been no action to remedy any of the safety concerns he has asked me to help. Since January 2023 we have contacted the Councillors at Youghal town hall, the Garda station, requested freedom of information (FOI), Ombudsman, Director of service, East Cork Municipal District officer, CEO Cork County Council. Ireland has a Derelict site act and a Local government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 that can be served on behalf of the Town council to ensure the safety of buildings to prevent public liability. A notice was served to the owner of 30 Friar Street in September 2022 with 8 weeks to respond. The owners of the property did not respond to the request. My parents were told that under Tort law it is their responsibility for the upkeep of their property and to go after the owners themselves if the property is causing a nuisance! However, the Director of Service has promised some remedial work but this has not happened. We have 100 vacant properties in Youghal and about 9 could be defined as derelict. Without the support of the Town Hall to use the law to protect this town and its residents these buildings are going to become liabilities for all and health and safety hazards for those in close proximity. As we have failed to progress this matter using all avenues available to us, resulting in no signs of a resolution or progress in any form, could we please ask for your help and support? 30 Friar Street is at risk of further deterioration and potential collapse in the coming months. The facade of the building is listed due to its historic interest. There are likely many other buildings across our town with similar fates. If you think that Cork County Council should prioritise the plight of derelict buildings, could you please sign this petition as putting pressure on this issue may support my parents and the health and safety risks, they inevitability face as the building continues to deteriorate.
Before submitting her petition, the petitioner went through all the usual avenues, starting with home insurance, logging it with the Garda station, local council, director of service and the CEO of Cork County Council, submitting an FOI request, contacting the owners and the Ombudsman and posting on social media. A story on the matter was published in a national newspaper.
The background is that the secretariat wrote to Cork County Council seeking a response, which was then forwarded to the petitioner for comment. The petitioner sent in a response.
The recommendation is that the correspondence from the petitioner be forwarded to Cork County Council for comment within 14 days. Do members have any views, or is that agreed?
