asked the Minister for Labour the reason for the delay in issuing work permits to persons (details supplied) in County Galway who have had to postpone their wedding until permits issue.
Written Answers. - Work Permits.
84.
Applications for work permits were received on 25 March and 27 October 1988 respectively, from the prospective employer of the persons to whom the question relates.
The position is that immigration regulations have not, as yet, been fully complied with by one of the persons concerned, and the employer has failed to furnish certain information requested from him in connection with the applications. In the circumstances, it has not been possible to complete the processing of the applications.
As the Deputy is aware 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 European Community (EC) nationals. The issue of a work permit is, therefore, not considered unless the employer can show that there are no suitably qualified Irish or EC 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 any significant employment opportunities for Irish or EC nationals.
This situation is not acceptable, particularly as my Department understand from the relevant professional bodies that in many cases there are no special skills involved 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 employ trainee staff from the local workforce. In this respect in accordance with the policy guidelines outlined above, I arranged for officers of my Department to contact the employer and request that information be provided which will support his statement regarding the number of Irish/EC employees on his staff. No response to this request has, as yet, been received.