asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider the position of two persons (details supplied) who are citizens of Iran and have been resident here for several years on student passports and as they are conscientious objectors to the Iran-Iraq war they cannot therefore return home and have evidence of employment prospects here; and if in these circumstances he will grant work permits to them.
Written Answers. - Iranian Citizens Work Permits.
458.
Work permits are issued under specific conditions to employers who wish to employ non-EC nationals having been unsuccessful in recruiting an employee from within the Community. Permits are not issued to prospective employees. Since no application has been received in my Department from an employer wishing to employ either of the persons concerned I am not in a position to say whether or not work permits would be issued in respect of the employment of the individuals concerned. I should say that the granting of work permits to employers is partly dependent on the potential employee being in possession of, or being able to secure, a visa entitling him-her to take up employment in the State. The granting of such visas is a matter for the Department of Justice.