Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Openness and international collaboration are essential components of a globally relevant research system. Under the third country researchers directive, Ireland offers a fast-track work permit, or hosting agreement, for third country researchers from countries outside the European Economic Area, EEA. The third country researchers directive allows researchers to carry out research projects with a recognised research organisation in Ireland using a permit that can last for anything from three months to five years.

Under this permit, entitled the hosting agreement scheme, non-EEA researchers do not need a separate work permit. Researchers or their host institution can still apply for the critical skills employment permit or other work permits if they wish to do so.

My Department manages the accreditation of these research organisations. There are currently 85 accredited research organisations under this scheme in Ireland. Euraxess Ireland manages the operation of the hosting agreements under the auspices of the Irish Universities Association and on behalf of my Department. This key service is of great benefit to non-EEA researchers on contracts, and for their employers. By availing of a hosting agreement, entry visas are fast-tracked and researchers can work in Ireland without recourse to the usual work permit. Euraxess Ireland keeps a database of all hosting agreements issued by the research organisations, which is directly linked to the Garda National Immigration Bureau. The Euraxess office issued a total of 761 hosting agreements in 2020. This comprised of 576 new agreements and 185 renewed or extended agreements. Researchers on hosting agreements contracts working in Ireland in 2020 currently represent 62 different nationalities. This is, therefore, quite large scale. The hosting agreement scheme is one of the many ways my Departments wishes to foster an environment where excellent research is promoted and encouraged in this country.

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