Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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518. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has considered allowing stamp 2 visa holders to work full-time in order to alleviate staff shortages in certain sectors of the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47759/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students and continually consults and engages with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, among other key sectoral stakeholders, in this area.

Their primary purpose for being in the State is as a student. However, since April 2001, non-EEA nations with permission to remain in the State as students, on immigration Stamp 2 permission, and enrolled on courses with education providers listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) including English language courses, have been afforded the opportunity to work.

This allows them to take up casual employment to supplement their income while studying in Ireland. During term time, non-EEA students can work up to 20 hours per week and during normal college holiday periods they can work on a full time basis up to 40 hours per week.

However, all applicants for permission to study in Ireland must show that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Ireland without recourse to public funds, or the reliance on casual employment.

The conditions attaching to all immigration permissions are kept under ongoing review with all relevant stakeholders. Any changes to the work entitlements of non-EEA students would be a policy decision for the wider stakeholder group.