Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This amendment provides that within 12 months of the passing of the Act, a report would be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas looking at the labour market access available to spouses of those with employment permits, and particularly the gender impact in the context of that employment.

It is a constant refrain, but when we look to employment permits, it is important we remember that workers are not simply workers or units alone that can be applied to tasks. They are, in fact, members of families and part of society. In many cases, a real concern is when somebody has an employment permit and their spouse - usually, but not exclusively, a wife – can find it very difficult to access employment. This creates its own concerns with regard to, for example, access to financial independence and the social connections that we know come with employment.

If we look to some of the research we have from the ESRI’s 2023 report on wages and working conditions, it highlighted the fact that non-Irish women tend to be doubly disadvantaged. They often earn less and have a gender gap in wages. It also highlighted that the families of migrant workers can be particularly disadvantaged. We also know that some of the unacknowledged care work in our State is more likely to be performed by women and women in households. We are creating a situation whereby, as only one member of a household is able to work and have access to employment, we almost reinforce a gender divide in employment. We do not give opportunities, as I said, for financial independence and the social integration that comes with it, and we also lose out on considerable skills. I know many cases of persons who do not have permits to work in this State but who are resident here because their partners are resident and working here, and who have an extraordinary amount to contribute, including in some of the areas where we really need talented and able people. We have many people who are qualified and able and who could be contributing but are not necessarily given the access they want.

In that regard, it would be useful to have a report and analysis looking at the labour market access availability for spouses of employment permit holders and the gender impact for men and women. That would be useful in developing channels and routes that would allow for families to connect into Ireland in the fullest sense.