As Ireland approaches its general election on Friday, 29 November, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have outlined key priorities for immigration policy. These recommendations focus on maintaining and enhancing the role of immigration in Ireland’s economic success, particularly in relation to employment-based immigration.
Recent changes in the immigration landscape, including the commencement of the Employment Permits Act 2024 and new working rights for spouses of ICT and General Employment Permit holders, have already signaled a shift. This blog explores the main requests from NGOs concerning business immigration in Ireland, with all calling for policies that reflect immigration’s vital role in Ireland’s economic growth. Part 2 of this series will analyze how political parties have responded to these priorities in their election manifestos.
Ibec’s Recommendations
The Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation (Ibec) stresses the importance of a flexible labour market capable of meeting future needs. Ibec calls for policy certainty regarding business immigration to help attract and retain global talent. While Ireland’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to enhance its appeal as a destination for skilled workers, Ibec warns that housing remains a critical issue. The organization urges the government to invest part of the current budget surplus into large-scale projects, particularly in housing and public infrastructure.
Ibec suggests that attracting skilled foreign workers, especially in sectors like energy, construction, and healthcare, could alleviate some of these challenges. More roles in these industries are now eligible for employment permits, which Ibec views as a key opportunity for Ireland’s workforce.
Joint Civil Society Manifesto
With Ireland nearing full employment, the Joint Civil Society’s Manifesto argues that migrant workers will be essential to meet both current and future labour demands. The coalition of civil society groups calls for International Protection applicants to be granted Labour Market Access Permits from the moment they apply, rather than waiting six months as is currently required.
Additionally, the manifesto advocates for a clear path to residency and eventual citizenship for those under temporary protection in Ireland, particularly for those displaced by the war in Ukraine.
ICOS’s Focus on Students
The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) emphasizes the importance of immigration in their manifesto, particularly in regard to international students. ICOS has praised the Department of Justice’s efforts to digitalize its services, such as the online residence card renewal system.
ICOS also calls for an increase in the work hours for Stamp 2 visa holders from 20 to 30 hours per week during term time. This change would help international students manage their living costs while providing them with valuable work experience in their fields, enhancing their chances of securing future employment and work sponsorship.
American Chamber of Commerce Ireland’s Priorities
The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland highlights infrastructure development as a top priority, stressing that Ireland’s long-term economic success depends on attracting skilled workers. The Chamber also supports Ireland’s commitment to the EU Single Permit Directive, which aims to streamline the issuance of both employment permits and entry visas. The Chamber views this as an essential step to make the immigration process more efficient.
MRCI’s Advocacy for Affordable Immigration
Although the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland (MRCI) has not released a formal manifesto, it continues to advocate on behalf of migrant workers. One of MRCI’s key concerns is the cost of the immigration process, particularly the €300 Irish Residency Permit fee. MRCI argues that this fee is relatively high compared to other EU countries and that the cost to the state of issuing these permits is minimal. However, this issue may not be a high priority for political parties at present.
Impact of These Proposals
As Ireland’s political parties begin to unveil their manifestos, it’s clear that there is broad agreement among civil society organizations and business groups on the need to make Ireland a more attractive destination for foreign workers and students.
Despite recent improvements in immigration processes, there are still delays and uncertainties that need to be addressed to streamline hiring from outside Ireland. The move toward aligning work permits, residence permits, and entry visas under the EU Single Permit Directive is a positive step in simplifying the process, but its full implementation will take several years.
Given the urgency of the proposed changes, particularly those affecting the competitiveness of Ireland as a destination for international talent, these suggestions should be seriously considered by policymakers.
Formore information on business immigration and the upcoming election, please contact Senior Immigration Manager Stephen McCrea at [email protected]. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, which will examine the business immigration priorities of political parties in Ireland’s general election.
Published on 20 November 2024. Follow us for updates on global immigration on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.
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