6,500 Romanians and Bulgarians fail to get work permits
The Green Party has expressed concern about an emerging black economy employing Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants living illegally in Ireland.
The Government decided when the two countries became EU members in January that their citizens would still have to get work permits in order to legally secure jobs in Ireland.
The Greens say government figures show more than 6,500 Romanians and Bulgarians living in Ireland have applied for work permits since then, but only 19 permits have been granted.
The party says it is likely the others are seeking alternative means of making a living in the black economy, where they are open to exploitation.
