asked the Minister for Labour the number of work permits issued to non-nationals in the past year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Work Permits.
2.
The number of work permits issued for the employment of non-nationals in the year ended 31st May, 1975, was 1,129. In the same period 614 work permits were renewed.
Would the Minister have any information as to the categories of employment for which these permits were issued?
I do not have that information. The information is available, but it is not here.
About what number of applications would be successful?
The general test is that where work can be carried out by a national, we do not permit noncessful nationals to take up the work.
The Minister still has no information as to the number of applications received in relation to the number that were successful?
The question asks how many were issued, and I have given the Deputy that information.
I simply asked the Minister if he would have the information. I asked it in a pleasant tone, and the Minister said it was in his Department, and then he replied to a question I did not ask.
This is leading to argument.
I can give the Deputy the extra information. There is no secret about it.
I have called the next question.