Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Romanian and Bulgarian nationals may be fully entitled to work in the State without a work permit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16153/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2006, the Irish Government decided that, following their accession to the EU, nationals of Romania and Bulgaria would still have to apply for work permits in order to work in Ireland. Following a review of the situation in 2008, Government decided to maintain this requirement. The considerable challenges now posed as a result of the downturn in the global economic environment and its direct impact on the labour market have been factors influencing this decision.

While nationals of Romania and Bulgaria have to apply for employment permits in order to work in Ireland, they are given preferential access to our labour market, ahead of non-EEA nationals. In addition, many Romanians and Bulgarians are enabled to work in Ireland without an employment permit, including certain Romanians and Bulgarians who were resident in Ireland prior to January 2007, those who are the spouse or dependant of an EU national and those who are self employed in the State. In addition, Romanians and Bulgarians who have been in the State on a valid employment permit for an uninterrupted period of 12 months or longer are not required to renew their employment permit in order to remain in the workplace.