Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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320. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will clarify the position of a person on a graduate visa 1G; if any restrictions are placed on such a visa holder when applying for jobs in the State; if they can seek an extension of the visa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60007/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A Stamp 1G is granted or renewed under the Third Level Graduate Programme where the graduate satisfies the immigration authorities that he or she has taken appropriate steps to access suitable graduate level employment, for example, attendance at job interviews, signing up with graduate employment agencies etc.

The Third Level Graduate Programme provides that when an applicant has completed their studies in Ireland and gained an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or above, that person may qualify for a Stamp 1G for 12 months. Where an individual receives an award at Level 9 NFQ, they may qualify for a Stamp 1G for up to 24 months subject to the overall limit of 8 years on student conditions that applies.

Graduates at level 9 NFQ or above who qualify for a Stamp 1G permission will be granted the permission for 12 months initially. This can be renewed for a further period of twelve months, subject to the overall eight year limit on student conditions not being exceeded.

It is open to a prospective employer to make an application for an employment permit on behalf of the Stamp 1G graduate, and where the employment permit is granted they can register the permit at their local registration office where they will be issued with a stamp 1 immigration permission.