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PhD students in Ireland, particularly those from non-EU countries, struggle to focus on their studies due to financial constraints, as stipends often do not cover living expenses. This forces many to take on part-time jobs, adding undue pressure. To alleviate this, it is proposed that the spouses of non-EU PhD students be granted the right to work in Ireland. This would provide financial support, aid in societal integration, and bring diverse skills to the economy. Other EU nations have policies allowing spouses of international students to work, contributing to economic stability and society. Ireland should adopt a similar approach. Currently, under Ireland’s Family Reunification Policy, non-EEA PhD students can bring their dependents, but many spouses face barriers to employment due to the need for work permits. This creates inequality, as some spouses can work without a permit while others cannot, despite both contributing significantly to research. The Irish government is urged to amend immigration regulations, allowing all non-EEA PhD students' spouses to work without a permit by granting them Stamp 1G for unrestricted employment access.

To fast track citizenship applications from the immigrants healthcare workers. They’re waiting for 4 years for a verdict on their applications.

Animal cruelty is nothing new but the latest incidents are truly shocking and there seems to be no deterrent no punishment no help out there for out animal friends  You can starve and beat almost to death a dog then bury her alive and stamp on her head as she dies and you get a few months in jail what’s to stop him doing this again?  You can video yourself torturing a dog and then killing it and you get immediate bail  You can organise dog fights where dogs are torn apart sometimes cats and have dead and dying dogs littering your garden and where is the punishment  even when the evidence is all around you ?  Foxes badgers hares birds all manner of animals in our province are continually hunted and tortured for FUN And where is the response from the powers that be ?  If you report an incident you are lucky if a dog warden comes to investigate then nothing happens I’ve lost count of the number of animal cruelty incidents I’ve reported and nothing appears to happen  In the latest incident the warden came out took photos and left the dogs in the state they were in snd still are in weeks later  I demand that we stand up for animals that the authorities take a much more professional and accountable approach to the investigation of cruelty to animals animals   That the animal welfare legislation be made fit for purpose  That the dog wardens become accountable for their actions and take a more proactive approach to the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators  Finally where a person is found guilty of cruel acts toward animals they should get meaningful sentences not a few months here snd there and all of them should be banned from keeping animals for life 

PhD students in Ireland, particularly those from non-EU countries, are increasingly struggling to focus on their studies due to financial constraints. The stipends provided often fall short of covering the living expenses for themselves and their families, forcing these students to take on part-time jobs alongside their demanding academic pursuits. This situation compromises their focus and adds undue pressure. We propose that the spouses of non-EU PhD students be granted the right to work in Ireland. Allowing these spouses to enter the workforce would provide crucial financial support for their families, help integrate them into Irish society, and bring diverse skills to the Irish economy. Other EU nations have adopted flexible regulations that enable spouses of international students to work, as seen in the 2015 Holiday Visa Policy in the European Union. These policies have helped families maintain economic stability while positively contributing to society. It is time for Ireland to adopt a similar approach for the benefit of its international students and the broader community. Under Ireland’s Family Reunification Policy, non-EEA PhD students are allowed to bring their dependents to Ireland during their doctoral research studies. However, many spouses of these students face the difficult choice of leaving behind highly skilled employment in their home countries to support their partners, only to encounter significant barriers to re-entering the workforce in Ireland. The requirement for a work permit to gain employment presents a major obstacle for these individuals. While some non-EEA PhD students' spouses are granted immediate access to employment without the need for a work permit, a majority are still restricted due to their spouses not being part of the hosting agreement scheme. Both groups of PhD students, whether on the hosting agreement or not, are equally qualified and contribute significantly to research and development in Ireland. The disparity in treatment based on contract terms is unfair and creates inequality among early career researchers. We urge the Irish government to review and amend its immigration regulations to allow all non-EEA PhD students’ spouses to work in Ireland without requiring a work permit. Specifically, we request that all non-EEA PhD students’ spouses be granted Stamp 1G, enabling them to access employment without barriers and contribute their skills to the Irish economy.

Please create a physical proof of residence for non EU minors / normally visa required minors who are legally resident in the State. 

1.) Resolve the immigration appointment and application backlogs through a fully online, sticker-based system renewal system, and issuing residency cards that last the duration of an international student's study 2.) Declassify international students as Ordinary Residence to prevent unreasonable healthcare costs 3.) Consider the welfare of international students when making policy decisions, around COVID-19 and otherwise, thereby actively preventing future issues from arising