Waiting time for Stamp 4 for Non EU Spouse

I am an Irish citizen, working in Ireland and my Brazilian spouse will join me in Ireland this year. My question is how long it takes to be issued a GNIB card? He wishes to start looking for a job asap. Thanks for you help.

You can ask your local immigration officer to grant him permission to remain when he arrives (if he has a short term stamp from the airport immigration officer, and therefore is legally in the State). If they will not do this, then you must make an application in writing to the Spouse of an Irish National Section, INIS. These applications take 9 - 12 months at present, and the applicant will not be permitted to work during this time.

Thank you for your response. When you refer to the local immigration officer do you mean the Garda National Immigration Bureau for people living in Dublin? Do you know if many cases are referred on to INIS? We were married in the US would this increase our chances of being referred to INIS? Thanks

Yes the GNIB. I think there's a fair chance they will ask you to apply to INIS, yes, but I don't have any statistics on it.

If your spouse arrives on a "Join Spouse" visa then all you have to do is go down to the GNIB with your spouse, bring both passports, proof of joint residence and your marriage certificate (translated if not in English) and the officer will give your spouse a stamp 4 on the spot.

Source: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP07000024

I don't think Brazilians are visa required: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2011/en/si/0146.html