Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
242. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if she will confirm the progress that has been made to date in respect of having a single application process, both for employment permits and entry visa applications; if an interdepartmental group has been established between her Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to review same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26829/23]
View answerWork is underway to reform the current system whereby employment permits and immigration permissions are dealt with separately, with a view to improving the user experience and enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness in attracting skilled migrant workers. The Government agreed in principle late last year that a single application procedure for employment permits and immigration permissions should be developed and that an Inter Departmental Working Group should be established to develop an implementation plan for consideration by Government.
Membership of the Interdepartmental Working Group comprises representatives from the Department of Justice; the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Department of Social Protection; the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; the Department of the Taoiseach and an Garda Síochána.
The Inter-departmental Working Group is examining the operational, policy and legal considerations of simplifying the process for employment permits and immigration permissions to improve on timelines to secure critical skill workers. The first meeting of the Working Group took place in March 2023 with a view to reporting back to government with an implementations plan and associated timelines later this year. The Working Group’s report will also allow Government to consider opting-in to the recast EU Single Permit Directive at a future date.
