**Urgent Alert: Scam Agencies Target Migrant Nurses in Ireland**

UPDATE: Authorities have confirmed a rise in visa fraud schemes targeting migrant nurses in Ireland, as recruitment agencies promise non-existent jobs, leaving many stranded and unemployed. The leading advocacy group, Migrant Nurses Ireland (MNI), has urgently called for action to protect these vulnerable workers.

Just announced: Varghese Joy, a senior nurse in Dublin and convener of MNI, revealed that these fraudulent agencies are often unlicensed and charge unsuspecting nurses up to €4,000 in illegal fees. This alarming trend is affecting nurses from various countries, particularly those who have relocated to Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme.

Many nurses, unaware of the scams, pay thousands of euros to these agencies, believing they have secured legitimate employment. Joy shared a heart-wrenching account of one nurse who only discovered her job offer was fake after arriving in Ireland and obtaining a work permit through the government scheme. After completing the necessary RCSI adaptation examination, she found herself without a job and burdened with debt.

Joy highlighted the deceitful tactics used by these agencies, stating, “They take genuine job offers from nursing homes, edit the contracts, and submit them with different names.” This manipulation not only exploits the nurses but also misleads the Department of Justice and the Department of Enterprise into issuing work permits based on false information.

As the situation escalates, MNI is urging the government to implement stricter measures to verify job offers before granting work permits. Joy emphasized the devastating impact on nurses, many of whom support families back home in India. “We point these nurses towards legitimate agents to help them find new jobs, but some have had to leave Ireland due to a lack of employment,” he said.

The Department of Justice acknowledged awareness of the issue but indicated that the Department of Enterprise is primarily responsible for overseeing the Atypical Working Scheme. A spokesperson stated, “This Department works diligently to detect instances where false or misleading information is submitted as part of an immigration application.” They assured that applications undergo rigorous checks to verify the accuracy of information provided.

MNI’s advocacy has become increasingly vital as reports of fraudulent schemes continue to rise. Many affected nurses feel hopeless and distraught upon realizing they’ve been scammed, often left without the means to support their families back home.

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. As more nurses fall victim to these scams, it becomes imperative for both the government and nursing homes to collaborate and ensure ethical practices in recruitment. MNI calls for immediate action to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of migrant healthcare workers in Ireland.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as authorities work to combat these fraudulent schemes and protect vulnerable migrant nurses.