Martin announces new permit arrangements
Wednesday, 24 January 2007 22:45
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, has announced new work permit arrangements for migrants from outside the EU, to come into force on 1 February.
There will be four new categories.
The first is a Green card scheme for immigrants from outside Europe. This scheme will cover an extensive list of occupations with annual salaries of ¤60,000 and above, and a 'specified list of occupations with salaries between ¤30,000 and ¤60,000'.
The second scheme is a work permit system covering non Green Card occupations and involving workers earning between ¤30,000 and ¤60,000.
The employer must prove that the migrant is needed by advertising the job and only in exceptional circumstances will permits be granted for workers earning below ¤30,000 a year.
The third scheme covering intra company transfers will allow multi nationals based outside Europe to transfer staff to work in Ireland.
The scheme covers workers earning over ¤40,000 a year who have been employed by the company for at least a year.
The fourth scheme covers the dependent spouses of migrants holding work permits who will themselves be allowed to apply for work permits.
There will also be more flexible arrangements for foreign students graduating from Irish colleges wishing to seek work here.
No work permit will be issued for any job paying below the minimum wage.
The minister also outlined elements of the new Employment Rights system designed to protect workers in Ireland.
He warned that employers breaching these rules regarding work permits could face fines of up to ¤50,000 or a prison sentence of up to five years.
- News At One: Micheál Martin, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, explains the new green card system
- Nine News: Ingrid Miley, Industry & Employment Correspondent, reports that there will be four new categories, including a Green Card system for high earners
- Six One News: Ingrid Miley, Industry & Employment Correspondent, reports on the different types of work permits to be issued
- One News: Ingrid Miley, Industry & Employment Correspondent, reports on the new work permit arrangements for migrants from outside the EU which come into force at the beginning of next month
