Post
by smalltime » Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:10 pm
lovely news!!!
The changes announced today, agreed in consultation with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms. Mary Coughlan TD, will increase the 3 month "breathing space" for any worker who has held an employment permit for less than 5 years to 6 months. Commenting on the background to these changes, Minister Ahern said "The Government is determined to do all in its power to tackle the rise in numbers of people finding themselves without work or with reduced working time as a result of the global recession. Our approach in tackling the issue is multi-layered and centres on protecting employment across the economy, re-training those without work and assisting job seekers who are looking for work."
Those who have held a permit for more than 5 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. This will apply both to those made redundant after 5 years working on a permit and to those still in employment. In either case the holder of the permit will be free to seek other employment without having to apply for a new employment permit. These permissions will run for one year initially and be capable of renewal. It is not an unconditional permit and the holders are expected to work and to support themselves and any dependents. If made redundant they must seek new employment.
Noting that among the groups who are particularly vulnerable as a result of short-time working and redundancy are foreign nationals, Minister Ahern continued: "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. They have made a contribution to Ireland's economy and society and we need to give them some breathing space to get back to work. The changes we are making today reflect this approach. At the same time this cannot be open-ended. People who were permitted to come to Ireland on the basis of their employment need to be working."
The additional concession for those who have worked for 5 years is acknowledgement of the fact that persons in this category would be eligible to apply for long term residence or in some cases citizenship by naturalisation. Some may have pending applications and it is envisaged that the new arrangements would allow time for their applications to be considered, assuming that they remain law abiding and, if made redundant, are actively seeking to find new employment.
The Minister concluded: "The Tánaiste had written to me expressing particular concern for those redundant workers who had been working here long enough to be eligible for long term residence or citizenship and whose applications were still in the queue. We agreed that some additional measures were appropriate in these cases."
28 August 2009
