19/02/2004

Skilled workers spouse work permit rules changed

The Irish Government has announced the introduction of a new initiative to facilitate easier access to the Irish labour market by spouses of certain skilled non-EEA nationals working in Ireland.

Announcing the new measures Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney said: "For sometime now I have been concerned at our continued capacity to attract and retain highly skilled personnel where their spouses do not have what is, in effect, an automatic right to work in this country. This problem is perhaps most acute in relation to some 4,500 highly trained nurses from outside the EEA who do not face this difficulty in other countries.

"In light of this situation and its possible negative impact to both our healthcare services and private industry I now propose to introduce these new arrangements which will be confined to the spouses of persons working here on Working Visas/Work Authorisations, to spouses of certain intra-company transferees and spouses of certain academics and researchers. In cases where some medical professionals are still working on work permits these will be dealt with on a case by case basis."

Most spouses travel to Ireland on a visa that does not allow them to work. While a work permit can be issued, the new rules will provide simplified access to employment for the spouses of the estimated 10,000 skilled non-EEA nationals working in the Irish labour market.

(SP)

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