Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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On 13 May 2020, I announced that immigration permissions which expire between 20 May 2020 and 20 July 2020 are automatically renewed for a period of two months. The renewal of permission is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions attach. Working Holiday Authorisations are included in this notice. This extension also applies to those whose permissions have already been extended by the previous notice issued on 20 March 2020.

If normal business has not resumed by the end of that period, a further extension of permission may have to be facilitated. The Immigration Service website will be updated as necessary to reflect the latest positions -

I should inform the Deputy that Working Holiday Authorisations, work permits and registration of these categories of permission involve three different Departments:

- The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) who is responsible for the Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) Scheme, including its administration;

- The Department of Business Enterprise and Innovations (DBEI) with responsibility for the Work Permits Scheme; and

- Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) who are responsible for registrations issued under the above WHA and Work Permits scheme.

It is a condition of the WHA scheme that a successful applicant does not seek to settle in Ireland and will leave after the authorisation period expires. Once outside the State, there is nothing to prevent the person concerned from returning and presenting himself/herself to the Immigration Officer at the port of entry in order to seek permission for the purposes of re-entering the State for a specified period.

Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the person concerned to have all documentation relating to his/her reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry, i.e. work, study or tourism. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation presented grant a lesser period that three months.

If it is the case that the person concerned wishes to return to the State in a working capacity, it is necessary for a prospective employer to obtain a work permit from DBEI on their behalf prior to taking up employment.

Any queries about changes sought to the WHA scheme, including the issue of transitioning from that scheme to the Work Permit scheme, should be directed to DFAT. The Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department will be guided by DFAT in relation to any changes it wishes to make to its scheme.