Migrant workers from EU accession states planning to work in Ireland are being told by State agencies to save at least €2,000 before travelling here.
An Oireachtas committee on European affairs yesterday heard that groups such as Fás are providing information to workers in Poland and other states about the initial costs they face when coming here.
Support groups for migrant workers say that while the vast majority of people successfully find work in Ireland, a small but significant number experience difficulties through injury, unemployment or exploitation.
Under the habitual residency condition, people who are not normally resident here are restricted from receiving social welfare and other support.
Following questions from acting committee chairman, Fine Gael TD John Deasy, officials from the Department of Social and Family Affairs said a number of steps were being considered which would ease the burden on workers who experience unexpected difficulties.
These include speeding up the payment of social assistance which accession country workers may be entitled to, having paid social insurance contributions in their own country.
Delays in processing this information between countries means it can often take months before applicants are paid social assistance they are entitled to.
Other aspects of the habitual residency condition, such as the payment of social assistance, child benefit or supplementary welfare allowance payments, were also being reviewed.
The committee, which was also looking into evidence of human trafficking, said Garda evidence of involvement of criminal gangs in the trafficking of people into the State was "scarce". However, a number of investigations were under way.
