Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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335. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of the negative impact that not being able to work or engage in any business, trade or profession is having on stamp 3 holders; if she will request her Department to review a document (details supplied); her views on whether it would help to provide to people on general employment permits the same rights as those on critical skills permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23752/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the policy governing family reunification applications for non-EEA family members, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 15 May last, I announced the first outcome of this review process. On foot of this, spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Corporate Transferee Irish Employment Permit holders, who have applied for, and have been granted family reunification, in accordance with the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, will now be registered on a Stamp 1G immigration permission, rather than a Stamp 3. This will allow the holder to take up employment without the need to obtain a separate employment permit of their own.

Eligible spouses and partners who are currently residing in the State on Stamp 3 permission do not need to attend their local immigration office and do not need to apply online to obtain a permission to reside on Stamp 1G conditions without the need for an employment permit.

A new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) on Stamp 1G conditions will issue to eligible persons when they seek to renew their current Stamp 3 permissions upon its expiry.

Further information regarding these arrangement is available on the Immigration Service website at www.irishimmigration.ie/attention-eligible-spouses-and-partners-of-general-employment-permit-and-intra-corporate-transferee-irish-employment-permit-holders/.

This change does not apply to spouses and de facto partners who are residing in the State on other permissions such as visitors or for study, or Stamp 3 holders, who have been issued Stamp 3 permission for other reasons and, are not spouses or partners of an Employment Permit holders.

The review of the family reunification policy prioritised this issue due to its importance for several thousand people currently in the State with their families but unable to work and make a contribution to the economy in the key sectors that we need, such as healthcare or construction.

The Review is also examining a much wider range of complex matters relating to a family reunification, including the arrangements for other family members who are currently granted Stamp 3 permission. It is intended to conclude the review as soon as possible.