Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

67 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work permits, if any, she has given in the recent past to non-EU citizens to assist the horticultural industry in view of the fact this industry cannot find Irish workers to harvest the crops which will be destroyed if they are not harvested on time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15768/99]

Nora Owen

Question:

90 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work permits, if any, she has given in the recent past to non-EU citizens to assist the horticultural industry in view of the fact this industry cannot find Irish workers to harvest the crops which will be destroyed if they are not harvested on time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15867/99]

Nora Owen

Question:

94 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department is receiving increasing numbers of applications for work permits for non-EU citizens to work in the horticultural and nursery business; the number of applications granted during 1999; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15929/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 90 and 94 together.

Statistics regarding the industry or sector for which work permits are granted are compiled on an annual basis. The total number of work permits granted to employers to allow them to employ non-European economic area nationals in the State in the agriculture and fisheries sector – which includes the horticultural area – for the years 1997 and 1998 were as follows:

Year	New Permits	Renewals	Total Issued
1997	58	11	69
1998	62	7	69