David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government policy towards the granting of permission to children of workers from outside the EU who are employed as nurses here under the work permit system and may go to work in the UK or elsewhere, if their children are unable to join them here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9851/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Nurses who are non-EU nationals and who are employed in Ireland are not employed on work permits but under working visas-work authorisations schemes, which are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The matter of children being permitted to join parents who are non-EU citizens and who are employed here is a matter for the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform. In respect of children over the age of 18 of non-EU citizens who are employed here, it has always been open to employers to seek work permits in respect of such persons. My Department, in accordance with prevailing policy, will consider such applications. This option is also open to the spouses of non-EU workers.

I am not aware of any issue in relation to the children of non-EU nurses working here nor has such an issue been raised with my Department or me.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 212: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a work permit holder whose employer goes out of business will be permitted to remain in the State until a new work permit can be obtained; if the requirement that the new employer must first list the job with FÁS can be waived in such cases; and if she has plans to change these policies after EU enlargement. [9869/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The work permits section of my Department examines applications from employers for permission to employ non-EU nationals on the basis that these employers have been unable to obtain Irish-EU nationals suitable for employment that they have available. No advice about the outcome of an application can be given in advance of the receipt of such an application. All matters relating to residence in the State are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I can see no reason the current policy in relation to the manner in which my Department considers of work permit applications would require change after enlargement.