Government decides to continue the existing Work Permits Regime for Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania from 1^st January 2009

Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Billy Kelleher TD, today (Wednesday 17^th December 2008) announced that the Government has decided to continue to require that nationals of Romania and Bulgaria apply for work permits in order to participate in the Irish labour market, but that preference would be given to them over nationals of non-European Economic Area countries.

Minister Kelleher said that this decision would be kept under on-going review and would be assessed comprehensively before the end of 2011.

Minister Kelleher acknowledged that the Irish experience of immigration has been a positive one with newcomers bringing a range of economic, social and cultural benefits to the country. The contribution of immigration to the growth of the labour force has been particularly significant, he said.

However, the Minister pointed out that the considerable challenges now posed as a result of the downturn in the global economic environment, and the direct impact on our labour market, had been factors influencing the Government’s decision. Also taken into account were the views of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, as well as the position of other Member States of the European Union.

The Minister said that the Government felt that it would be prudent on this occasion to focus on maintaining stability in the Irish labour market, and avoiding the potential imbalances caused by additional migratory inflows to the country.