Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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12. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the process being put in place to fulfil the programme for Government commitment to "Examine ways to facilitate people who are on work permits to move jobs more easily and legally, while protecting the integrity of the immigration system"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21619/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I am asking for an update on the commitment in the programme for Government to examine ways to make it easier and more transparent for people on work permits to change jobs legally. Last week, I visited the Migrant Rights Centre. I had a great discussion with it and met many people who had come to this country with the intention to work. There is a matter of basic fairness and of upholding our international reputation as a country that respects the rights of workers.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. A well-functioning labour market and good working conditions are essential components of sustainable and inclusive growth. As part of the efforts to maintain this, the Government operates an employment permits system that is highly responsive to the labour market. I recognise the valuable role migrant workers play in Irish society, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare and ICT. The year 2024 saw significant progress in the implementation of changes to the employment permits system to address the commitments now set out in the programme for Government.

The Employment Permits Act 2024 introduced several improvements to the employment permits system, making it more flexible. This includes the provision of new change-of-employer processes, facilitating permit holders to move jobs more easily. Permit holders on the two main permit types can change to a new employer under their existing permit after a period of nine months has passed since commencing their first employment permit in the State. This has made it significantly easier for permit holders to seek more favourable working conditions and to ensure employers provide the required conditions.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I welcome the fact there is movement on this, but at the heart of the issue is a simple question of fairness. Workers who come to Ireland on employment permits are legally present in the country, paying taxes and contributing to our essential sectors, such as those mentioned by the Minister of State, but once they arrive, they find themselves tied to a single employer under rigid rules that limit their ability to change jobs. I spoke to one of these migrants who was a mushroom picker about the conditions the workers were working in and how they felt they were stuck with the job. It is not acceptable.

If we go back to where Ireland was, we are a proud nation and we emigrated and worked in these types of job. When we look at the people who left this country, we should be fighting for the people who are coming to this country to have the same rights.

We have heard countless stories, one of which I just mentioned. In some cases, migrants are left waiting for too long for decisions and feel as if they are trapped. In the worst cases, people are left vulnerable to abuse by employers because the employers know these people do not have another option.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I understand the issues about migrants the Deputy is raising. We have heard some of the stories and I have engaged also with the migrant refugee representative body to ensure their members are listened to and are front and centre in any enhancements we can make to the scheme. We have looked at how the granting of reactivation permits is in one sense supported. We want to work with the Department of Justice in that regard and ensure that we help to support non-EU workers who are in difficult circumstances while also highlighting these changes.

We have implemented a new online workers' employment permit system. That will have an additional benefit in terms of user interaction and real-time data on how permits are being processed. We will continue to engage with the Deputy and with any further suggestions he may have to support this.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I welcome the fact the Minister of State is engaging with these industries and he should continue to do that. I would also like his Department to examine the fee migrant workers are paying. Off the top of my head, it costs €200 yearly. It is an unfair fee and should be reduced because these people are struggling. They are coming here to work. Workers should not have to choose between leaving a bad situation and risking their legal status. We can and must do better and I welcome that the Minister of State's Department is doing that and I thank him.

The real question is, will we see legislative reform in this area in 2025? Will the Department commit to a clear set of reforms that put mobility, workers' rights and transparency at the centre of the work permit system?

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his input. We are open to any suggestions or proposals and will work through any enhancements needed within the system. I do not think it should be a rigid system. It should be agile and flexible to meet the needs of our current labour market. If the general work permits or critical skill work permits are required, we actively update the needs analysis regarding which sectors do or do not require an increased quota. We need to put workers front and centre in terms of any inappropriate conditions they may be subjected to.

The Deputy is right that mobility in the sector is important. We have made additions to the nine-month eligibility requirement to move. We also need to ensure migrants are not moving from one sector to the same sector and facing challenges around where that employment is. If they are based in Dublin, the west or the south, there might be barriers to mobility, for example, family, schools, etc. I will work with the Deputy and the migrant community on that.