Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2024
288. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the planned phased basis approach in implementation of the single permit system for work permits and visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29805/24]
View answerOn 15th May, my colleague, Minister for Justice McEntee, and I announced that Government approval had been secured for rolling out a single permit to both work and live in Ireland. Implementing a single permit will eventually allow Ireland to opt into the EU’s Single Permit Directive.
The Government also approved the Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on establishing a Single Application Procedure and Common Set of Rights for Third Country Workers. Its recommendations are to develop a single application procedure for a combined work and residence permit, while each Department retains its policy and operational responsibility for economic migration and immigration; and to commence preparations for opting-in to the Single Permit Directive.
The adoption of the Single Permit is expected to be completed over the course of the next three years. A programme management team has now been established chaired by the Department of Justice and my Department to commence implementation of the Single Permit. The Programme Management Team is tasked with:
• Implementing the recommendations of the report.
• Action the short, medium, and long-term steps as set out in that implementation plan.
• Prepare to opt-in to the Single Permit Directive once the medium term commitments are fulfilled, subject to Government Decision at that time.
The programme is expected to be delivered on a phased basis and will aim to streamline existing processes as a new application platform is developed with customer benefits in the shorter term, such as developing a pathway for a method of payment and reduced information collection duplication.
