My Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of dependants of critical skills employment permit holders. My Department consults and engages with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who are responsible for labour market policy, and the issuance of employment permits.
As the Deputy will be aware, in March 2019, immigration arrangements for spouses and de facto partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders were revised. Under those new arrangements, spouses and de facto partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders are no longer required to apply for a Dependent Partner/Spouse Employment Permit (DPSEP) to access the labour market. Instead, upon arrival in the State, and on registration, eligible spouses and de facto partners are granted a Stamp 1G immigration permission, and the right to work. This change reflected a whole-of-government approach and any further changes in this area will require a similar approach.
I will keep the matter under review, in close consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and other relevant stakeholders to inform any future policy changes.
Currently any person legally resident in the State is entitled to request a change of their immigration permission. They should write to Immigration services setting out the reasons for the change of permission and provide any supporting documentation. Each case is assed on its individual merits and it is often the case that such requests are granted. Further information is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/.
