Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I concur with the observations made by colleagues regarding the shortcomings of the legislation but I will focus on how the work permit regime does not match up with the residency permit regime overseen by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Joined-up Government is needed in this regard. I appreciate this issue does not come under the remit of the Minister but it relates to this legislation which is being promoted on the assumption that Ireland needs immigrant labour in specific industries from which it benefits and it should be facilitated in a regulated way.

I refer to the cases of approximately 250 young adults described as "aged out minors". These young people arrived in Ireland unaccompanied when they were in their early to mid-teens from war-torn countries and other dangerous circumstances. They were sent here by their parents and guardians who did not know what would happen to them but who needed to get their children to a safe place for their own protection. These unaccompanied minors were placed in the hands of the health boards. They were provided with accommodation and placed in schools and colleges to pursue an education. In most cases, they attained the leaving certificate or equivalent qualification and they integrated in local communities. A number of them play various sports and so on.

However, when they reached the age of 18, they were no longer minors and they became the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, having left the care of the health boards. No decision has been made on whether they can remain in the State. Decisions have been made to issue deportation orders against a number of them. Periodically these young people are summoned to attend the Garda national immigration bureau with what they understand to be the possibility that they will be deported. In a number of cases "aged out minors" as they are called, have been deported. Yesterday I attended a meeting with colleagues from both Houses to make a case for these 250 young people, of whom 150 are in direct provision and of whom 100 are with families or have made independent arrangements. None of them has children or dependants.

The case I wish to make in respect of this Bill is as follows. If this country needs immigrant labour, what sense does it make to order the deportation of these people and look to another channel to bring in immigrant labour? These people have grown from adolescence to adulthood here, have received an education here and are available to work. Apart from the dangers to which these people are exposed in being returned to countries where if they have family they do not know where they are, and in many cases where those countries pose a danger to them, it is not fair on a purely human level that young people who had to leave a country at 14 or 15 years of age, move halfway across the world to a different culture, climate and environment and be educated, should be ripped up and sent back. That is not humane. I do not make this point in an adversarial way. I hope and trust the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will consider the case in a compassionate manner.

I ask the Minister with responsibility for employment and for employment permit legislation and who rightly justifies that on the basis of our need for immigrant labour, to reconcile with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the requirements for immigrant labour and skills. These people have received a good level of education and are anxious to pursue further education. In some cases they are marooned as they have completed the leaving certificate but cannot do further education courses. If they are doing these it is beneficial but they cannot work and do not know what the future holds.

This is a case where the requirements of these people need to be examined on a stand alone basis. No precedent is being created, nor are other doors being opened. These people came here, were educated here and they have a contribution to make to Irish society, the community and the economy. That should be valued and they should not be sent back. Many are deeply anxious about what their future holds and the slow grinding of the process does not help. A decision should be made and some political direction needs to be given to the system to clear the decks for the 250 aged out minors. Their residence should be regularised, enabling them to pursue and complete their education, enter employment and make the contribution they are anxious to make to Irish life.

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