Results 50,361-50,380 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: I look forward to the Deputy's input to the debate when the legislation comes before the House. I ask him to keep an open mind and take on board all the issues that will be raised. I want to achieve the right solution for employees. I have not been lobbied by any employer or employment body on this aspect of the Bill but submissions may have been received in the two years since the Bill was...
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: Two other items of legislation, the Employment Equality Act and the Employment Permits Act, which was passed last year, affected it.
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: I assure the Deputy that its publication is imminent. We are examining the issue raised by Deputy Morgan. The key issue is the protection of the employee so that whatever system is introduced, we can pursue cases where workers' rights have been abused.
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: We can and we are.
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: The labour inspectorate is pursuing a variety of breaches of the labour laws, some of which are high profile cases. The fact that the employer holds the permit has enabled the inspectorate to go quickly to the source of the problem. We do not wish to lose that capacity.
- Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: Economic migration policy in Ireland is predicated on economic needs and addresses identified labour and skills shortages. As the economy grew in recent years, there was a consequential increase in the demand for labour. Where suitable workers were not available in Ireland or the wider European Economic Area, which consists of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and for this purpose...
- Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: I accept the CSO projections but all such projections come with the qualification that they are based on a range of assumptions. Given the assumptions made, especially those concerning economic growth and demographic factors, we are working on the basis that the figures given are those that will be required on an annual basis. The numbers that have entered the country from the new accession...
- Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: It has already commenced. On the Deputy's first two points about the economic migration policy and asylum seeking, rational policies are in place as regards both of them. A sophisticated skilled forecasting mechanism has been in place since 1998. It is the future skills needs group established jointly by the Tánaiste and myself. If we have learned anything from that, it is the necessity for...
- Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: I am talking about the Government's position and perspective.
- Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: We have had significant successes on both fronts. In terms of the integration issue, I accept this has to be a cross-Government approach. Again, there is evidence that employers in various sectors and under the aegis of different Departments have engaged in much proactive activity on the issue of integration, multicultural diversity etc., to try to provide a range of supports for people who...
- Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: Because we took away the work permit requirement for citizens of the European Union and particularly those from the new accession states, there is not a ready-made database with information on the people coming in. It means one has to go through CSO statistics or locally based assessments of what is happening in terms of where people are living and so on. The Deputy is correct. The economic...
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: Under the arrangement to facilitate certain spouses, 1,019 work permits in respect of the spouses of non-EEA nationals working here were issued up to 15 April 2005.
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: Will the Deputy clarify the last part of the question, about all permit holders?
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: The Tánaiste, when Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, introduced an initiative in February 2004 to facilitate easier access to the labour market by spouses of certain skilled non-EEA nationals working in the State. Concerns had been raised about Ireland's continued capacity to attract high-skilled personnel, particularly in cases where spouses did not have an automatic right to...
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: Ireland is an attractive location.
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: I am unclear if the Deputy is referring to all workers.
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: That is more in convergence with the Government's policy.
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: The work visa authorisation scheme was brought in for health care workers, construction professionals and IT workers.
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: It has not been reviewed since its introduction. The legislation allows us to either give a statutory underpinning to the scheme or review the policy. As these were areas of acute staff shortages in the economy, the Government changed the arrangements for those workers. Economic migration policy is adaptable and flexible to the given needs of a given time. It is not asylum policy that creates...
- Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)
Micheál Martin: A point was raised earlier that if so many workers are coming in, what will be the impact on education and health services and other structures? There needs to be limits, balances and some degree of caution in thinking this through to five year's time. Originally, work permits were not intended for the long haul but for the duration of only one to two years.