David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Intra-company transfers are something I have been raising from time to time. It is where a company brings in a worker from abroad under a permit. Very often such people are highly skilled, highly paid and highly valued and they are badly needed by the companies here. The contract often lasts for about two years. You will understand, a Chathaoirligh, that if one goes to a foreign country that is far away, one leaves one's family behind. Currently, if a spouse or partner comes with the person, he or she cannot work. I am glad the Minister of State has said the Department of Justice is addressing this matter because I know of companies that have told me it has had a big impact on their employees deciding not to avail of the opportunity to come to Ireland. The situation is impacting negatively on the company, its business, progression, and development.

I am a bit disappointed that we have not taken the opportunity to address the matter in this legislation. It is something I raised on Committee Stage and on a number of occasions in the past. I have met companies who have spoken about it and who are upset about it, as it has been costly for them. It is an issue we need to deal with urgently. I am not sure if the Minister of State can bring forward amendments in the Seanad to deal with the issue.

A spouse who comes here can possibly get employment under the general employment permits but that is not certain. He or she might have skills in other areas but he or she cannot work so if a spouse decides to travel he or she could be stuck at home all day. If a spouse does not decide to travel, then the person who is due to come here may not decide to travel in the first instance, and thereby the company is impacted in a negative way, as is our industrial and economic performance. It is not a huge issue as the number of people involved is small but I urge the Minister of State to deal with it, perhaps before the Bill goes to the Seanad.

The amendment we are discussing relates to seasonal work permits. I note that quite a number of issues have been discovered by the authorities, which is good. Our focus should be on stamping out the abuse of any worker, seasonal or otherwise. I am aware of employers who require seasonal workers because the work only exists at certain times of the year. The workers value coming here to do the job at that time and then they move on to another country to do something else. Rather than stopping workers from coming here in the first place, we should focus on the need to put the regulations and enforcement in place so that abuse, no matter where it is found, is stamped out and not tolerated.

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