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 also be published. Is that agreed? Agreed.
We have four petitions for consideration. The first is petition No. P00033/21. It is from Mr. Cormac McKay and it is a call for a citizens' assembly on the Irish justice system; policing, crime and rehabilitation. This petition relates to a request for the proposed citizens' assembly on drugs to be expanded to encompass the entire justice system, policing, crime and rehabilitation in the Republic of Ireland. There is a growing public perception and opinion that our criminal justice system is not fit for purpose and people are now living in fear.
The committee recommends that we publish the response from the Irish Penal Reform Trust. The correspondence from the Irish Penal Reform Trust will be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. In consideration of the response from the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the petition cannot be progressed further by the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen and should be deemed closed, and the petitioner be advised of same. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Petition No. P0002/24 is titled "Fairness for existing work permit holders: We want to stay and contribute". It is from Mr. Ka Wai Ho. This petition relates to the recent change in the minimum salary requirement for general employment permits. 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 the petitioner, facing an uncertain future in Ireland. The petitioner is deeply concerned about the potential impact this change could have on his life and the lives of many others. They have made Ireland their home and contribute 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 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 for them. He urges the Government to consider a transition plan or a grandfather clause for existing permit holders, allowing those who have been contributing to Irish society to continue to do so without fear of displacement.
The committee recommends that in view of the concerns raised and the proposals made by the petitioner, the correspondence from the petitioner would be forwarded to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for comment within 14 days. Is that agreed? Agreed.