1019. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the plans to review the restrictions applying to holders of General Employment Permits who wish to change careers after completing their initial two year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60934/26]

1058. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he is considering allowing general work permit holders access Stamp 4 after two years instead of five years. [62486/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1019 and 1058 together.

Ireland's economic migration policy is designed to facilitate the recruitment of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals where shortages exist, but is not a substitute for investment in the education, training and upskilling of the resident workforce.

Policy ownership for general migration including eligibility for stamp 4 visas lies with my colleague the Minister for Justice Home Affairs and Migration. Currently, holders of Critical Skills Employment Permits are typically granted permission to work for up to two years. After this period, individuals may become eligible to apply for Stamp 4 immigration permission, which provides full access to the labour market without the need for an employment permit.

General Employment Permit holders are typically granted permission to work for an initial period of up to two years, which may be renewed to a maximum of five years. After a five year period, individuals under this permit type may become eligible to apply for Stamp 4 immigration permission.

The Employment Permits Act 2024 introduced the Change of Employer provision allowing certain employment permit holders to change employer after an initial period of nine months of employment under their first employment permit in the State. This provision applies to holders of both the General Employment Permit (GEP) and the Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) and removes the requirement to apply for a completely new employment permit when changing employer within the relevant occupational classification.In recent years, a number of reforms have been implemented to improve the flexibility of the system, enhance worker mobility and reduce the risk of workers becoming dependent on a single employer. These changes seek to balance the needs of permit holders, employers and the wider economy, while maintaining the integrity of the employment permits framework. The Government is committed to ensuring that employment permit holders are afforded appropriate protections and opportunities to progress within the labour market.

Ongoing collaboration with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has successfully developed new initiatives to enhance employment opportunities for migrant workers and their families such as granting access to the labour market without the need for an employment permit for spouse and partners of General Employment Permit holders and Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit holders.My Department is currently reviewing the provisions relating to change of employers to ensure they provide a suitably accessible mechanism in line with employment permit holder and labour market needs. Any resulting recommendations will require careful consideration in the context of employment permit policy, immigration policy, worker protections and labour market requirements.