Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
382. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice if it is possible to issue a longer term of stamp 4 permission to persons who are now studying at third level, due to the financial strain it imposes on them along with paying for their fees. [50983/23]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students. My Department regularly consults and engages with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, among other key sectorial stakeholders, in this area.
Since April 2001, non-EEA students with an immigration Stamp 2 permission, and who are enrolled on courses with education providers listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) including English language courses, have been afforded the opportunity to work. This allows them to take up casual employment to supplement their income while studying in Ireland. During term time, non-EEA students can work up to 20 hours per week and during normal college holiday periods they can work on a full time basis up to 40 hours per week.
A Stamp 2 immigration permission indicates that the holder has permission to study a full time, and will typical expire shortly after the conclusion of the course or annually depending on the length of the course or where additional courses are undertaken. For a permission to be renewed, students must prove that they are progressing in their course or commenced a higher level programme.
However, where a non-EEA student has completed their studies in Ireland and gained an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or above, that person may qualify for a Stamp 1G for 12 months. Where an individual receives an award at Level 9 NFQ, they may qualify for a Stamp 1G for up to 24 months subject to the overall limit of 8 years on student conditions that applies.
The period on the Stamp 1G immigration permission is to provide the Graduate and any prospective employer the opportunity to make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an employment permit, before the expiry of the Stamp 1G permission. If the application for an employment permit is successful that applicant can register that permit and will be granted a Stamp 1 immigration permission and be allowed to remain in the state. If unsuccessful, the student is required to make arrangements to leave the State.
It is my Department’s intention to take stock of registration and renewal arrangements in general. This will include consideration of the duration of permissions, range of persons in respect of whom registration is required and the range of current exemptions and fee structures. It is anticipated that this exercise will be carried out in Quarter 1 of 2024.
In the course of implementing this programme of change and modernisation, my Department will engage with and keep all stakeholders fully updated on progress.
