Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
62 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the welfare and quality of life of migrant workers would be greatly improved if measures were introduced to give the spouses of migrant workers the right to work in the State; when he intends to introduce such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23605/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra82 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued to date under the new arrangements to give access to employment to the spouses of non-EEA nationals working here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23661/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 82 together.
New arrangements were introduced earlier this year which were designed to give greater ease of access to employment for the spouses of certain non-EEA nationals working in the State under specified schemes and facilities. The non-EEA nationals concerned refer to persons working here on working visas — work authorisations, certain intra-company transferees, certain academics and researchers on work permits and certain registered medical professionals on work permits. The facilitation of access to work for spouses was achieved by eliminating the requirement that the employer in question advertise the job with FÁS in advance of making a work permit application; by the acceptance of applications for jobs in any category, providing the original work permit holder is skilled as defined, and by waiving the fees normally payable in relation to the application of a work permit.
A detailed set of guidelines, outlining the eligibility criteria and procedures relating to these arrangements, have been available on my Department's website, www.entemp.ie, since April. They have also been circulated to a range of Government Departments, health bodies and other relevant organisations, including employer organisations, to promote as wide a circulation of this information as possible.
My Department is precluded from considering work permit applications in respect of persons whose entry visas do not permit the employment of the visa holder. A total of 468 spousal permits were issued since the introduction of the new arrangements in February 2004.
