James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Adjournment matter. There is a pressing need for action with regard to non-nationals awaiting residency who are under severe financial strain due to the restrictions imposed on them in terms of full-time paid employment. What progress has been made with regard to a rational and productive solution to the lifting of such punitive restrictions?

Ms Abbey Okubadejo from Nigeria has lived in County Longford with her two sons and daughter since November 2002. Her residency status has not yet been finalised although she has lived in this country for the past five years, having previously been here in the early 1990s. Ms Okubadejo is a skilled nurse and qualified in London in 1980, having previously worked as a secretary. With three children to support, she urgently needs to work and has much to offer. However, she is forced to do what she can to make ends meet without the benefit of a salary, to which she would be entitled under any humane system.

Ms Okubadejo moved from London to Dublin in 1991 with her husband to set up an engineering company. Her eldest child was born here but sadly her husband died and she returned to Nigeria with her daughter. She remarried there and had three more children, two of whom are in secondary school in Longford. These boys are exemplary pupils who wish to pursue third-level education and this is a worry for their mother as their residency status awaits regularisation, together with hers.

Ms Okubadejo desperately wishes to work and keep her nursing skills up to date. She has much to offer and, conscious of the nursing shortage in this country, is puzzled and frustrated at not being allowed to put her training to good use both for herself and the community. Far from being idle, she does voluntary work with St. Christopher's special needs school. This work is extremely welcome and helpful for the school but does not solve her financial problems.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, during statements on migrant workers last week in this House stated that he wanted to send a clear message that those who come to Ireland seeking employment are welcome. I hope these sentiments extend to all those with valuable skills, such as those offered by Ms Okubadejo. The Government should ensure that such people are given every necessary assistance to use their skills both for their own good and that of the community in which they live.

Ms Okubadejo has endured much. She was abused by members of the Nigerian security forces immediately before coming to Ireland. Details of this incident are available on request. Her husband died shortly after she came to Ireland and she was left with a small child.

She has a family of whom she can be proud. In spite of the changes in their lives, they have settled into Longford and are doing well educationally. However, sustaining a decent standard of living for any family demands money and in order to do so one must work. It is a disgrace that, despite her qualifications, Ms Okubadejo is not allowed to work.

I ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to regard the merits of the case and allow Ms Okubadejo to take up the employment she so desperately needs. Her children are exemplary and references can be obtained from any of their schools. She is very anxious that they should have some security before they leave post primary school and go on to university. I would be pleased to forward any further details the Minister requires.