The Irish Association of International Doctors (IAID) has expressed its opposition to the proposal to extend the residency requirement for citizenship.
As of press time, several hundred people had signed the IAID’s online letter opposing the Government’s proposal to increase the residency requirement for citizenship from five to eight years.
Dr Liqa ur Rehman, President of IAID, told the Medical Independent the strong support reflects “serious concern among healthcare professionals about the potential impact on workforce retention, international recruitment, and Ireland’s growing healthcare crisis”.
The IAID letter notes that international healthcare professionals already face “prolonged delays involving citizenship applications and visas for spouses, dependent children, and visiting parents”.
A Department of Health spokesperson said Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill “recognises and values the significant contribution” made by international healthcare professionals.
The issues raised by the IAID form “part of the wider public discussion” on the proposed reforms. The Department understands these will be considered alongside a range of other factors as the legislative process moves forward.
The Department noted that Ireland has a “high reliance” on internationally trained healthcare workers.
“Expanding domestic training capacity is a key strategic response to reduce workforce shortages, improve workforce sustainability, and to reduce Ireland’s high reliance on foreign educated workers in the long-term,” said the spokesperson. This goal also adheres to Ireland’s commitments under the global code on ethical recruitment of health personnel.
The legislative proposals “do not impact on the access of non-European Economic Area doctors and other healthcare workers to the labour market via the employment permit system (Stamp 1 permission) and then move to the Stamp 4 which reflects long-term residency”.
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