The position is, as stated in the earlier reply, that the Tánaiste announced in February 2004 new arrangements designed to give greater ease of access to employment for the spouses of certain skilled non-EEA nationals working in the State and decided to waive the fees normally payable. Detailed guidelines on how to apply for work permits as well as the eligibility criteria and procedures relating to the new spouses scheme are available on my Department's website at www.entemp.ie.
The spouses of other persons who do not qualify under the spousal scheme are eligible to seek employment and have that employer apply for a work permit in the same way as for all non-EEA workers. However, where the immigration authorities have granted a spouse visa to permit family reunification my Department is required to take cognisance of any conditions attached to the visa by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Any changes to a persons visa status in the State is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
