Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2007
52 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will alter the rules relating to work visas for US citizens in view of the fact that the same is being sought from the US for Irish seeking to stay legally in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5949/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, US citizens are exempt from Irish entry visa requirements. They are however, as are all non-EEA nationals, required to report to an Immigration Officer on arrival at an Irish port of entry to seek permission to enter the State. In addition, all non-EEA nationals, including US citizens, who wish to remain in Ireland for longer than three months are required to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau and seek the appropriate permission to remain.
Access to the Irish labour market by US and other non-EEA nationals, other than those whose residence status (e.g. refugee, legally resident spouse of Irish national etc.), specifically grants them free access, is dealt with by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As the Deputy will be aware, the Employment Permits Act 2006 has now entered into force and sets out new arrangements governing this area. These include a new ‘‘Green Card" permit for people earning above €60,000 per year in any sector and for those in the €30,000 — €60,000 range in strategically important sectors. Information regarding the qualifying criteria for "Green Cards", work permits and other labour market access schemes are available from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website at www.entemp.ie. The Work Visa and Work Authorisation schemes previously operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have been replaced by these new arrangements.
Non-EEA nationals, including US citizens, who have permission to remain in the State as students are currently entitled to take up casual employment (defined as 20 hours per week during school term time and up to 40 hours per week during school holidays) for the duration of their permission to remain. This entitlement ceases upon the expiry of the person's permission to remain as a student. However, while this represents the current position, "Towards 2016" provides that employment of non-EEA students will become subject to an application for an employment permit.
Although US citizens are not visa required, they can subject to certain criteria, avail of the Holiday Working Visa Scheme which can be issued for up to a 12 month period and which allows the holder to work in Ireland in a casual capacity during the validity of the Working Holiday Visa.
My Department has no proposals to initiate a regularisation scheme in respect of non-EEA nationals, including US citizens who are currently working and residing illegally in Ireland. However, if the Deputy has a particular case in mind I would advise that the individual concerned should write to the Immigration Division of my Department, which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 giving details of their circumstances and the grounds on which they wish to remain. Each case will be examined and determined on the individual merits of the case.
