Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raise a question I raised in written correspondence with the Minister outlining my concerns about the requirement to renew a work permit before an employee can take up new employment within the same economic sector. I refer to the one-year rule which we also discussed in relation to an earlier amendment. Work permits are initially granted for two years and cost €1,000 to renew. In his reply to my written correspondence, the Minister noted that it is employers who pay the fee but workers availing of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland drop-in service indicate that in some cases the reality is that employees pay. I ask the Minister to investigate the veracity of the claim. If employees are paying, I ask him to take measures to mitigate the costs involved for migrant workers. It is a matter of concern to me. I do not have any substantive proof, in which case I ask the Minister to investigate the veracity of the complaint. We must look at the issue.

I note that Sweden is considering a model of sector-based employment permits. We had the work authorisation scheme which effectively provided for sector based permits that could be updated and reinstated. Perhaps, that is something the Department and the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation could revisit with a view to strengthening the system in this area.