Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that, since January 2023, work has been underway to examine reform of the current system whereby employment permits and immigration permissions are dealt with separately. This reform is with a view to improving the user experience and enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness in attracting skilled migrant workers.

The Government agreed in principle late last year that a single application procedure for employment permits and immigration permissions should be developed and that an Inter Departmental Working Group should be established to develop an implementation plan for consideration by Government.

Membership of the Interdepartmental Working Group (IDWG) comprises representatives from the Department of Justice; the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Department of Social Protection; the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the Department of the Taoiseach and an Garda Síochána. Chaired by the Department of Justice, the group has met four times in since March 2023. The fifth meeting will take place at the end of September.

The Interdepartmental Working Group is examining the operational, policy and legal considerations of simplifying the process for employment permits and immigration permissions, to improve on timelines to secure critical skill workers. The IDWG intends to report back to Government with an implementation plan and associated timelines before the end of the year.

The Working Group’s report will also allow Government to consider opting-in to the recast EU Single Permit Directive at a future date.