On 10 April 2013, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, agreed on the implementation of new initiatives which will give rise to changes in certain immigration procedures.
These initiatives will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 takes effect from 10 April 2013 and applies to people applying for an employment permit whilst already residing lawfully in the State. Non-EEA nationals who are lawfully resident in the State may apply to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation for an employment permit if offered employment in a recognised highly skilled shortage occupation (listed here). Successful applicants must present to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for a change of immigration permission.
Phase 2 will take effect from 1 July 2013 and involves a highly skilled job interview. It is envisaged that, subject to normal immigration requirements, permission to enter the State on a temporary basis will be granted to non-EEA nationals who have been invited by an Irish employers to attend a job interview in a recognised and highly skilled shortage occupation (listed here). Successful interviewees may remain in the State whilst applying to the Department for an employment permit. Persons granted an employment permit must then register with the GNIB.
The Scheme will facilitate the following categories of people:
Nasc, the Irish Immigrant Support Centre said that although the new initiatives show some level of commitment by the government to acknowledge the need for broader availability of work permits for migrant workers in specialised areas, they do not adequately address the needs of migrant workers and their families.
Nasc said that it was disappointing that the new scheme is silent on the rights of family members of these workers to enter and remain in the State. “We would further look for clarification of the Atypical Work Scheme, as we are concerned this scheme could potentially leave temporary migrant workers vulnerable” Nasc said in a press release.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland, in a statement, said that work permit reform must be matched by immigration reform. The Council warned that Ireland’s attractiveness for highly skilled people who would boost the economy is being damaged by the lack of an efficient and transparent immigration system.
Commenting on the new initiatives, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland said “an increase in permits alone may not give Ireland the necessary edge over other countries which also need such expertise. Many highly skilled workers could be put off when told that their family may not be allowed into the country. The Immigrant Council has been leading a campaign to seek family reunification rules which are transparent, fair and just to all.” Senior Solicitor with the Immigrant Council, Hilkka Becker added “skilled workers may look elsewhere when faced with an immigration system which is bureaucratic, over-reliant on discretion and lacks an independent appeals mechanism. If we are serious about attracting people with the skills to rebuild our economy and fuel further job creation then changes to work permits must be part of a comprehensive programme of reform.”
Click here to read more on the initiatives on the INIS website
Click here to read a Nasc press release
Click here to read a statement from the Immigrant Council of Ireland