A Review of Economic Migration Policy undertaken in 2018 concluded that while the employment permits system provides a robust framework to supplement skills and labour needs in the State, the current legislation imposes considerable inflexibility in its operation. In order to increase the agility and responsiveness of the system, the Review recommended that new legislation be initiated.
The Employment Permits (Consolidation and Amendment) Bill sets out to consolidate the existing legislation to make a more accessible statutory basis for our economic migration system and to increase its agility and responsiveness.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment report on the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme if the Bill issued on 24 November. The Committee have provided a number of recommendations including Recommendation Five which relates to the rights of General Employment Permit holders. All recommendations are currently under consideration by officials in my Department.