Ankita Ahluwalia, co-founder of the Stamp 3 Association Group says:
"We are optimistic about this review of Ireland's Economic Migration Policy. Immigrants from across Europe and around the world play imperative roles in Ireland's rapidly interconnected economy. Still, we encourage Minister Humphreys and others to remember those non-EEA work permit holders have families who will join them in Ireland. Many of the spouses already residing in Ireland are highly skilled and can easily fill some of the sectors in need of qualified workers. However, barriers to work such as long permit processing time and a lack of employer awareness, make it that much more difficult for spouses to integrate into Irish society. This is an issue not seen in other European countries.
"Today's report accurately points out a spouse not finding work as one of the main reasons expat couples leave a country, but the review makes insufficient recommendations to fix the problem in Ireland."
Yulia Ghumman, co-founder of the Stamp 3 Association Group says:
"The land of a hundred thousand welcomes is a wonderful place to call home, but if spouses cannot find work, both partners often leave, taking their skills and abilities with them. This is not an isolated situation. Thousands of people have signed our petition calling for reform. Marketing of the opportunities for eligible family members to work in the State should be undertaken, but this alone doesn't match the State's intentions.
"We believe the government should listen and make spousal and dependent work permission begin automatically instead of requiring a separate work permit. That will save time and remove difficult hurdles to women and men already in the State."