Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the recent report published by the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland seeking changes in the current arrangements for issuing work permits to persons from outside the EEA area which it claimed was leading to exploitation of workers; if he is planning any changes to the current regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19194/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the recent report published by the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland in the context of changes proposed to the system of issuing work permits.

My Department condemn any practices by employers that may result in non-compliance with employment rights entitlements or any other mistreatment of employees including those on employment permits. Ireland's Employment Rights Legislation establishes the statutory rights applicable to all people working in Ireland whether they are Irish citizens or otherwise. I would urge all whose employment rights are being breached by an employer or those who know of such exploitation, to contact the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA).

The Employment Permits Act 2006 sets out in legislation the rules governing employment permits. One of the main focuses of this Act was in increasing the rights and protections afforded to migrant workers and the means to ensure redress in the event of exploitative practices. The Act's provisions gave immigrants greater freedom, autonomy and control over their own employment choices by enabling workers for the first time to apply and re-apply for their own permit and allowing workers to change their employer after a period of a year and move to another employment in order to take advantage of better conditions or career options. Last year, my Department issued almost 1,500 employment permits in respect of employees changing to new employers.

The Employment Permits Act 2006 allows for regular review of Ireland's economic migration policies and my Department keeps these policies under review, in line with the emerging needs of the labour market, on an on-going basis.