Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I am informed that the report, entitled Managing Migration in Ireland: A Social and Economic Analysis, commissioned by the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, and undertaken by the International Organisation for Migration has not yet been finalised. I understand that NESC is considering a draft of the report and that it will formulate its comments on it over the next few months. It would not be appropriate for me to make any detailed comments on the possible content of the report or on the NESC view of it.

However, I look forward to the publication of the report and hearing NESC's views on it. I expect that this work will be a useful contribution to examining all of the social and economic effects of migration into Ireland and how best to deal with them in a fully integrated manner. This Department already works closely with the other Departments and State agencies in this field, but any recommendations in this regard will be carefully considered.

As regards the general issue of the potential for immigration to generate adverse labour market impacts in a less favourable economic environment, no such less favourable economic environment is in prospect. We have strong economic and employment growth and most of our problems are those of success. Recent labour market data published by the Central Statistics Office do not suggest there has been any significant adverse labour market impact due to migration into Ireland. In the context of the Employment Permits Bill 2005 the Minister announced new arrangements actively to manage economic migration from outside the European Economic Area. This active management includes giving priority to migrants in sectors where there are strategic skills shortages and only issuing work permits for other occupations on a restricted basis. For example, he has indicated that as part of the new arrangements, work permit applications would require not only advertising with FÁS, but also in the national newspapers.

This Government pays particular attention to ensuring that the employment rights of all workers, both Irish and foreign are protected. In the past 18 months the number of labour inspectors has almost doubled and the Department is engaged with the social partners on how compliance and enforcement of employment rights can be enhanced into the future.

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