Government Criticised for Overlooking Migrant Workers in Budget
Dublin: The Simon Harris-led government has come under fire for allegedly neglecting the needs of migrant workers in its recent budget. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) has criticised the government for failing to support a workforce on which Ireland heavily relies. Despite longstanding calls for a reduction in immigration fees for migrant workers, students, and their families, no action has been taken.
One key issue raised is the high cost of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, which is €300. This fee, which was doubled during the financial crisis, remains unchanged even though the economic situation has since improved. MRCI argues that the actual cost of producing and distributing the card is only €20.50, making the current fee disproportionately high. The fee increase, introduced in 2012, was intended as a temporary measure but it has not been rolled back, sparking outrage from advocacy groups.
Mina Benjamin, spokesperson for MRCI’s Fair Fee campaign, called the fee “open robbery,” noting that it is unaffordable for many ordinary workers. Neil Bruton, co-director of MRCI, emphasised that renewing an IRP card should be as straightforward and affordable as renewing a passport.
Despite these concerns, the Department of Justice has indicated that there are no immediate plans to reduce the fee. Officials explained that the €300 charge covers not just the physical production of the card but also the processing and registration costs. The card is equipped with biometric data and advanced encryption systems to ensure security.
While the fee remains unchanged, the government has allocated additional funding to modernise the immigration system, with plans to review various fees as part of this process. The department also noted that further consultation on the issue is expected at a later stage.
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