Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
815. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 11 July 2023, the timeframe for the conclusion of the review of the immigration arrangements for non-EEA circus performers; and what stakeholders have been consulted in this review. [35930/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra816. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 11 July 2023, to clarify the immigration arrangements which enable Irish circuses to engage the services of non-EEA national circus performers that have been in place since 2007. [35931/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 815 and 816 together.
As advised in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 11 July 2023, my Department has engaged directly with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as part of the initial review of the immigration arrangements for non-EEA circus performers.
Officials from my Department will undertake further engagement with relevant stakeholders, including the circus industry, as part of the next phase of this review process. It is anticipated that the review will be fully concluded in the coming months.
The immigration arrangements introduced for the Irish circus industry in 2007 provide for Irish circuses to engage the services of non-EEA circus performers, for a limited period of time, without the need for a work permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The immigration arrangement allows the circus performer to enter and reside in the State for the specified period of the contract. The permission is non-renewable and the performer must leave the State on or before the expiry of their permission.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the current immigration arrangements will remain in place for 2023, pending the conclusion of the process of engagement.
