Deloitte, in collaboration with Permits Foundation, has been campaigning on this issue for several years. Permits Foundation are a global non-profit organisation who campaigns to enable the partners of highly skilled international employees to access employment directly while in their host country.
Reshma McCann, a director in Deloitte’s immigration team, highlights how this has created challenges for Ireland’s immigration system, “While other countries have made it easier for the spouses and families of foreign nationals, Ireland was at a disadvantage as a destination.
“We have been advocating for policy change over the past five years, working with the Permits Foundation to make a number of submissions to the Department of Justice and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, demonstrating the benefits of extending working rights to family members. We initially saw success following submissions made in 2019, with the granting of working rights to family members of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and have since advocated for this to be extended to other employment permit types.”
Hence, the Irish Government's announcement in May of this year, extending the right to work to eligible spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer and General Employment Permit holders, was met with great enthusiasm.
McCann highlights that the recent expansion of the Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit and General Employment Permit will greatly benefit Ireland, employers, and families already in the country.
“This recent development means that our clients and organisations across Ireland will have access to a broader talent pool and can more quickly hire the spouses of individuals holding the Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit and General Employment Permit. For those coming to work in Ireland, they can be assured that their partner can also work here, reducing reliance on a single income.”