In the Action Plan for Jobs 2015 published by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Minister Richard Bruton introduced measures intended to reduce administrative burdens on business interactions with the Department, including the Trusted Partner Registration Scheme for employment permits. The Department is now planning to launch the scheme on 12 May 2015.
The benefits of becoming a Trusted Partner under the Scheme include:
- a more streamlined application process for employment permits with less supporting documents required;
- a dedicated team for permit applications targeting a processing time for such applications of five business days;
- a reduction or elimination in application fees for Trusted Partners was also proposed but has not been confirmed.
Further details regarding the application process to become a Trusted Partner will be available following the launch.
Once registered, the status of a "Trusted Partner" will be retained for a 2 year period. This status may be lost if the company is convicted of a criminal offence under the employment permits legislation or under other employment protections legislation e.g. Health and Safety breaches. Companies can continue to use an agent to submit employment permit applications for its employees.
Arthur Cox has significant experience in guiding clients through the employment permit application process and advising on strategic immigration planning. We will be in attendance at the launch of the Scheme and will provide updates to clients as more details become available.
This article contains a general summary of developments and is not a complete or definitive statement of the law. Specific legal advice should be obtained where appropriate.
