asked the Minister for Labour if an application for renewal of a work permit has been approved for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Work Permit Approval.
84.
An application for renewal of a work permit has been received from the employer of the person to whom the question relates and it is currently being considered in my Department.
My policy in regard to the granting or refusal of a work permit is based on the need to ensure that, as far as possible, employment opportunities arising here are reserved for Irish or EC nationals. The issue of a work permit is, therefore, not considered unless an employer can show that there are no suitably qualified Irish or European Community nationals available for the position in question.
This policy applies to the granting of permits for ethnic restaurants as for other sectors of the economy. Up to now, the expansion of this sector of the catering industry has not led to significant employment opportunities for Irish or EC nationals. This situation is not acceptable, particularly as my Department understand from the relevant professional bodies that there are no special skills involved in Chinese cuisine that an Irish apprentice chef could not readily pick up after a period of on-the-job training.
In order to improve the situation I have insisted that, as a condition for the granting of work permits for ethnic restaurants, they must recruit and train apprentice chefs from the local workforce for employment. In this connection, I have arranged for officers of my Department to contact the employer about his plans for the recruitment and training of Irish or EC workers, in accordance with the policy guidelines outlined above. In the light of his response I shall review the application.