James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views, in view of the long waiting times for workers who have work permits for over five years and have applied for naturalisation or long stay visas where current processing times are now heading for three years, on issuing new regulations for a three year flexible free work to permit those workers who have applied for naturalisation or long stay visa permitting the worker to apply for work in whatever sector they are qualified in and has held a work permit in Ireland for five years to permit the employee to apply for work and offer their skills to other employers in their sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27634/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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All issues in relation to visa or residency applications are a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. An employee who is the holder of a valid work permit for the same employer for a period of 60 months is entitled to receive an unlimited work permit. This permit remains valid provided the person remains with that employer. No fee is required for an unlimited permit application.

Should an employee who has an employment permit wish to move to another employer, a new application is required to be submitted. The standard employment permit application fees apply in this case. All employment permits issued are specific to the employer cited on the application. Under the employment permits arrangements launched earlier this year, a job-offer is required in advance of applying for a permit. Permits issued specify the employer of the permit holder.