Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In order to work in the State non-EEA nationals are required to hold either a valid employment permit from this Department or relevant immigration permission from the Minister for Justice allowing them to enter and work in the State without the requirement for an employment permit.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for economic migration policy and the employment permits system providing access to non-EEA nationals to take up employment in the State for the benefit of the economy.

The granting of immigration permissions that may provide for entry and work rights in the State for non EEA nationals and their spouses and partners, where eligible to apply, is at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and the relevant criteria that must be met are a matter for the office of Immigration Service Delivery in the Department of Justice.

Spouses and partners of General Employment Permit holders do not currently receive automatic work rights from that Department, however they are free to apply for a separate employment permit in their own right.

Department of Justice policy in relation to to immigration permission to work for spouses and partners of employment permit holders is an area of active and ongoing discussion and cooperation between my Department and the Department of Justice and my Department is in support of this review.