Vol. 482 No. 5
48 Mr. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications to her Department for work permits from non EU nationals in 1996; the number which were successful in this regard; and the liaison, if any, there is between her Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Foreign Affairs in assessing these applications. [18260/97]
Work permits are granted to employers who wish to employ non-EEA nationals, the EEA comprises the EU, Norway and Iceland, in the State. The total number of applications for work permits received in 1996 was 4,351. During the year a total of 3,768 work permits were granted; of these 2,125 were new work permits, 246 were group, mainly entertainment, permits and 1,397 were renewals.
The legislation relating to work permits is contained in the Aliens Act, 1935, and the Aliens Orders, 1946 and 1975. This Act and Orders are the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Therefore, there is continuous liaison between the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and my Department in deciding on applications for work permits. Before a decision is made on an application for a work permit, confirmation is sought from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform that the prospective employee, if resident here, is legally resident in the State and is eligible to seek employment.
Liaision between my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding decisions relating to the issue of work permits, takes place as appropriate. For example, a reciprocal agreement exists at Government level between Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in respect of a scheme to facilitate young people to undertake working holidays in either of these countries. My Department consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs in this connection — and, also, in respect of reciprocal agreements between the Governments of the USA and Canada to allow spouses and dependants of Embassy employees to work here.
