The Government's new immigration policy will give preferential treatment to foreign workers in the technology and construction sectors as well as nurses.
A new work visa scheme has been approved for foreign workers from outside the EU as part of the process of addressing labour shortages in these sectors.
The scheme will allow prospective employees to apply to their local Irish embassy or consulate for a work visa. Subject to the individual being able to show evidence of a job offer, a work authorisation visa will be noted on their passport before they enter the Republic.
The visa arrangements will apply to workers from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA), which comprises the member-states of the European Union along with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said the scheme would "apply initially to people working in information technology sector, to nurses and to construction professionals". In the construction area the scheme will be aimed at attracting planners, architects and engineers.
The social partners, civil servants and development agencies will be represented on a new advisory group which will monitor the scheme. The option of extending the scheme to other categories of workers has been left open.
The Tanaiste said private-sector recruitment agencies were likely to act on behalf of employers in the target sectors.
However, she said an open door immigration policy would be undesirable. She said such a work-permit regime could leave open the possibility of foreign workers been exploited by Irish employers. A special unit within FAS, with about 20 staff, will assist asylum-seekers to gain employment.
FAS will also undertake an assessment of skill vacancies throughout the economy. This will allow for a publicity campaign to attract foreign job-seekers in key sectors to the Republic. The Tanaiste said most of these people would be Irish people returning home.
Ms Harney stressed that her immigration proposals were not linked to the policy announced yesterday on asylum-seekers and refugees by the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue. The Cabinet at its weekly meeting yesterday approved both plans.
The asylum-seeker/refugee situation was described by the Tanaiste as an emergency. She said the option of accommodating these people on ships, or flotels, was "the last resort and only the last resort".