Dáil debates

Thursday, 13 October 2005

Employment Permits Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed).

 

11:00 am

Photo of Beverley FlynnBeverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)

I am happy to have an opportunity to speak on this legislation. It is probably overdue. Members have been alerted to various incidents involving migrant workers that have occurred over the last year. Many of the improvements I had hoped for with regard to the work permit system have been incorporated into the Bill and I welcome those changes.

I recall the debate that preceded the entry of the ten accession countries into the EU last year. A feature of that debate was how many people would come to Ireland as a result. The Minister said that approximately 90,000 people have come to this country. This is more than I had anticipated but perhaps some of those only came for short-term or holiday periods.

This significant number indicates the need for change in the open door policy given that many jobs are being filled by EU citizens. Migrant workers had filled a need. The total of 48,000 in 2003 had dropped by the end of September 2004 to 20,400, of which only 6,000 were new work permits. This seems to indicate that approximately 15,000 people are operating under the former work permit system. Is it known how many migrant workers are in the country without valid work permits? I presume the Department has a system of registration. It has come to my attention that many people are undocumented and it is important to have this information. The country has a total of 150,000 migrant workers, from over 100 different countries which is 8% of the workforce and it shows that Ireland has become cosmopolitan in its labour force.

I welcome many of the changes proposed in the Bill. It is proposed to upskill the workforce, maximise the potential of the EU and move the Irish economy towards one that is both innovation driven and knowledge-based in the development of a strategic skilled-based immigration policy. I agree with the focus of the Minister's policy which has the job offer as its core rather than a quota or points system which is used in other countries.

The Minister referred in his contribution to the green card system. He proposes that green cards will be issued for an initial period of two years with the possibility of permanent or long-term residence. It is proposed that workers will be allowed bring their spouses and families without delay. What proposals has the Minister for the children of such families who eventually complete their education and may be in their early 20s? Are such children also entitled to permanent residence?

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