Schengen Area (EU) Schengen Area (non-EU) Set to implement later EU states outside Schengen
Portugal Malta Greece Cyprus CHECK YOUR LEARNING
1. Name two EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. 2. Name three non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen Area.
Irish immigration policies
The EU Single Market allows people to move freely within the European Economic Area (EEA). Policies were needed to deal with migrants who wish to come to Ireland from outside this area.
Any employment opportunities occurring in Ireland must first be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals. If no suitable candidate is found, then the position may be offered to a non-EEA national.
There are nine different permit types, one of which is the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which is aimed at attracting skilled migrants and applies to all occupations on the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List. The applicant must have secured a two-year job offer with a minimum annual pay of over €60,000.
CHECK YOUR LEARNING
1. Explain the following terms: Blue Card, EEA. 2. Describe three aims of the EU’s current migration policies. 3. Name any one Irish permit type and briefly describe it.
KEYWORDS
European Economic Area (EEA)
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Highly Skilled Occupations List skills shortages
A-Z
Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List: This list describes occupations that are of vital importance to our economy but are in short supply within the labour market (e.g. radiographers, midwives).
Fig. 27.16 Map of Europe showing Schengen and non- Schengen countries.
Slovakia Austria Hungary
Romania Bulgaria
Poland
Estonia Latvia
Lithuania
Sweden Finland
The Schengen Convention permits anyone legally present in one of the participating countries to travel to any of the participating countries without having any border checks. The Schengen Area currently consists of 26 European countries. Ireland and the United Kingdom are not members.
