Vol. 483 No. 1
104 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department will extend the work permit of a person (details supplied) who is required to carry out the ritual slaughter of animals at a meat factory (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19927/97]
I refer the Deputy to the answer which I gave to Question No. 69 on 4 November 1997.
A first time application for a work permit (not an extension as stated in the question) was received by my Department in September and was refused on 3 October 1997.
Work permit policy is based on the need to ensure that job opportunities which arise in the State are, as far as possible, reserved for Irish or EEA (European Economic Area) nationals. Work permits are not granted unless the employer can show that, despite all reasonable efforts having been made, there are no suitably qualified Irish or EEA nationals available for the position in question. In addition we must also now have regard to the employment requirements of the growing legally resident non-EEA Muslim community in Ireland.
I should point out that, according to our records, the company concerned currently have five permits in respect of the Ballyhaunis plant and have, to date, been issued with a total of 27 work permits in respect of ritual slaughtermen by my Department.
