Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has announced new rules for certain migrant workers who have been made redundant.
The Government said the change is part of its policy of protecting employment.
The changes relate to those people who are not citizens of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein or Switzerland.
Migrant workers with a work permit who are made redundant currently have three months within which to find a new job.
The changes will increase the 'breathing space' to six months for any worker who has held an employment permit for less than five years.
Those who have held a work permit for more than five years, and have been working lawfully during that time, will be given 'an immigration permission that permits them to reside in Ireland and to work without the need for an employment permit'.
Minister Ahern said the change reflected the Government's determination to re-train those without work and to assist people who are looking for work.
He added: 'Now that we are in more difficult economic times, we cannot simply discard law abiding migrant workers, who have been living and working legally in Ireland for several years, when they become redundant.'
