Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

81. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the progress made by his Department in respect of streamlining the employment permit application process, whereby a single application process for employment permits and entry visa applications would be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50832/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 13th December 2022, the Government agreed in principle to develop a single application procedure for employment permits and immigration permissions, in line with the recast Single Permit Directive. Since then, my Department has engaged extensively with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM) to progress this commitment.

A crucial step in creating a single application procedure between my Department and DJHAM is the interoperability of our systems. I am pleased to inform you that on Monday 28th April 2025, the new ‘Employment Permits Online’ system was launched, providing a secure, cloud-based system for the application, processing, and issuance of employment permits. This system, which sits on a Microsoft Power Platform, is based on similar technologies that the DJHAM’s various systems are expected to move to and will support the infrastructure required for a single application process across both Departments.

Building on this, over the summer, the ICT units of both Departments met to discuss potential options for delivering a streamlined, customer-centred single application procedure and the feasibility of these options is being explored. Work on deciding on the best mechanism for delivery will continue at pace in the coming months considering input from the policy, ICT and operational teams within both Departments.

In addition to this important milestone, the project management team, co-chaired by my Department and the DJHAM, have been laying the groundwork for the enhanced sharing of information between our respective IT systems, identifying any legislative changes required for this, and engaging with EU bodies and Member States with processes in place that are similar to what we are currently developing. With a modern, adaptable employment permit system now in place, this collaboration will continue in earnest over the next year, focusing on initial streamlining while working towards a fully implemented single application procedure.

With that in mind, on the 15th and 16th of September 2025, members of the programme management team from both Departments attended a single permit directive workshop with Dutch counterparts. Having a similar functional model as the Irish employment permit and immigration functions, both remaining in their respective ministries, this workshop provided insights into the process design of the Irish single application procedure.

These developments mark a necessary and significant step towards a more integrated and efficient employment permit and visa system, ultimately bringing us closer to our goal of a Single Permit application procedure. My Department remains committed to delivering a streamlined and customer focused service.