System of work permits for non-EU citizens to be reviewed

THE Government has confirmed it is reviewing the work permit system in light of the economic downturn.

Citizens of non-EU member states, apart from Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, require an employment permit to work in this country. Labour Affairs Minister Billy Kelleher said that at any one time there are about 30,000 people, or 1.5% of the working population, working on such a permit.

“Over the years what has happened is that someone has applied for a work permit, they would have remained in the state working and then, after a number of years, they would apply for residency. That is why the figure would be lower than people would expect,” he said. “The work permit system is labour market-driven and vacancy-driven.”