Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I very much welcome this Bill. I am delighted that the Minister has given us such a comprehensive overview and understanding of the history involved, as well as where we are going. No one in this House would have thought ten, 15 or 20 years ago that we would speaking about this subject today. What we had been speaking about for years was emigration and parents asking where they could find jobs for their children at home. Now we must manage the workforce that we require to come to this country.

Speaking as someone who has used the work permit system over recent years and continues to do so, I ask the Minister to examine a few aspects of it. When people hear about exploitation, they sometimes think that it is only by employers. However, the present regime allows for extreme exploitation of permit holders entering the country. If one has to advertise in the morning for a permit holder, that person is living overseas. Irish employers cannot get in touch with such people. An agency from abroad will see the Irish advertisement, contact employers and say there is no charge to them. However, they charge €100 or more per week out of the applicant's wages, perhaps for the first 12 months. I saw it in operation in my own business until two or three years ago when I learnt how to use the system properly. Permit holders were being exploited by their own people, who had come to Ireland, learnt the system and returned with a wad of details on up to 1,000 potential applicants. They would offer to provide an employer with any one of those people. If an employer wished a person with one hand, two hands or even three, they could find such a person for a price. They were charging the permit holder. Such is the level of exploitation.

It currently takes six to seven working weeks to employ a permit holder in this country. I cannot see why a simple four-page form sent to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with very few questions on it – there are only about ten, which amounts to very little for any employer to fill in – should take four to six weeks to be approved. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform spoke here about the Refugee Act 1996 and what he wishes to do about non-nationals entering the country. He promises to deal with applicants within five to ten working days, though the information that he must glean and the determination to which he must come are far more onerous. It is the same situation if one wishes to hold on to a permit holder. The process also takes six weeks for an existing permit holder working in this country who wishes to remain for a further 12 months. The Minister should clarify if the suggested grace period will cover people who have applied for a permit six weeks from 16 April or those who have been granted a permit by that time.