Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We await a response from the Department. The petitioner appeared before the committee on 3 October. From speaking to him at the meeting, it was clear that there is a gap in respect of equal access to entitlement. This matter should be investigated and investigated as quickly as possible. We did say to the petitioner that we would do all we can. It was also suggested contact be also made with the Library and Research Service. The Minister has been written to asking for response. We said we would contact the Library and Research Service to analyse the legislation to identify if there were any shortcomings there. We await the Department of Social Protection response to us. Is that agreed? Agreed.

P00063/24 is a petition to review and rectify the stamp 1 work visa requirements for third level graduates, from Mr. Oluwasegun Oriowo, which states:

My name is Oluwasegun Oriowo, and I am writing on behalf of hundreds of foreign nationals, including myself who have come to Ireland to further our education and contribute to its socio-economic development. We are deeply concerned about the restrictive nature of the Stamp 1G post-study visa and the current work permit requirements that significantly limit our employment opportunities. The current Stamp 1G post-study visa system, alongside the restrictive work permit requirements, significantly limits the employment opportunities for non-EU graduates, creating an unjust barrier to achieving their full potential in the Irish labour market. Address the decision-maker Ireland has long been a destination for international students seeking high-quality education. Many of us, including myself, arrived with dreams of leveraging our academic experience to contribute meaningfully to Ireland’s economy. However, despite our qualifications and aspirations, the transition from education to employment is fraught with challenges, primarily due to the restrictions associated with the Stamp 1G visa and the limited scope of the critical and general work permit lists. In my case for instance, after completing my Master's degree in English Literature, I was granted a two-year post-study visa (Stamp 1G). Despite my qualifications and earnest efforts to secure employment, I have faced numerous rejections due to my visa status and the unwillingness of employers to even attempt to give me and many more like me a chance at a fair recruitment process. This experience is not unique; many international graduates face similar obstacles, resulting in underemployment or forced departure from Ireland.

Key Issues with the Current System:

1. Bias and Discrimination: The Stamp 1G visa indirectly promotes discrimination in the job market. Many employers are hesitant to hire individuals on this visa, prioritizing those with more stable immigration statuses. This bias undermines Ireland's commitment to equal employment opportunities as enshrined in the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. ) One of the nine grounds on which discrimination is outlawed by the Employment Equality Acts is race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, or national origin.

2. Limited Employment Opportunities: The current critical skills list is narrow, focusing predominantly on tech and other high-demand sectors. This narrow focus excludes many qualified graduates in fields such as marketing, teaching, communications, sales, and many more. This exclusion forces graduates to remain underemployed or unemployed, wasting the potential that these skilled individuals bring to the Irish economy.

3. Economic Inefficiency: International students pay substantial tuition fees, averaging 12,000 per year. These students contribute significantly to the economy and bring diverse skills and perspectives. However, the restrictive visa and employment policies waste this potential, as many are forced to leave or remain in precarious employment situations. Legal Framework and Equal Employment Opportunity Ireland's Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 prohibit discrimination on various grounds, including nationality. These laws aim to ensure that everyone has equal access to employment opportunities based on their abilities and qualifications. However, the practical application of these laws falls short for non-EU graduates, as visa restrictions create an inherent bias in the hiring process.

The action requested by the petitioner is as follows: "We are deeply concerned about the restrictive nature of the Stamp 1G post-study visa and the current work permit requirements that significantly limit our employment opportunities."

The actions taken by the secretariat were on 20 August and 23 September 2024.

The committee recommends the correspondence from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Do Members have any views?