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

The Minister of State spoke about inter-company transfers, about which I made a comment earlier. I understand that spouses and partners of people who come here on critical skills employment permits are allowed to work. It is a small move, then, to allow spouses and partners of the others to work as well. This issue came up earlier and it is one about which I feel strongly.

It is having an impact on companies, workers and their families when spouses and partners are not allowed work if they come here. Quite often, people decide not to come here because they do not want their spouses and partners to be at home all day with nothing to do. We know that critical skills people can work. I know there are other pathways as well but we should look at this seriously and allow spouses and partners of inter-company transfer people to work here when they arrive, in the same way as critical skills spouses and partners can do so.

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