Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

5. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the process for non-EU nationals who urgently need a passport renewal to renew their employment permit but cannot do so due to embassy closures during level 5 restrictions; the person or body persons in this situation can contact; the steps being taken to address this; if he will ease rules surrounding renewal of employment permits during the current restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12266/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In March 2020, the Employment Permits Section of my Department implemented a COVID-19 contingency plan to ensure that the employment permit regime could continue to operate throughout the crisis. Since 30th March, the employment permit system has been operating fully remotely and online.

Operational practices have been adjusted to replace the paper-based elements of the service to allow for a fully online process involving electronic/scanned documents and all decisions/outcomes now issue via e-mail rather than by post. Agreement was reached with the Immigration Service Delivery in the Department of Justice and Equality on arrangements to introduce, on a temporary basis, a type of “e-employment permit” and a similar soft copy process to transition to permanent residence permission.

The contingency plan also states that my Department will be flexible in dealing with employment permit issues that arise for both employers and employees as a result of the pandemic and will consider such issues, including individuals who are unable to renew their passports as a result of the pandemic, on a case by case basis when brought to my Department's attention. All such queries should be emailed to employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie

Finally, full details in relation to the contingency arrangements introduced by the Employment Permits Section in response to the pandemic can be accessed on my Department's website through the following link: