Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 5

Written Answers. - Work Permit Scheme.

Monica Barnes

Question:

68 Mrs. Barnes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to extend the work permit scheme to non-EU nationals particularly in view of the skill shortages in the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12246/99]

Nora Owen

Question:

78 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to extend the work permit scheme to non-EU nationals particularly in view of the skill shortages in the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12341/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 78 together.

The work permit scheme, which is administered by my Department, specifically allows employers to take on non-European economic area nationals, i.e. persons other than nationals of the member states of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, where specialised skills are not readily available here or where reasonable efforts have been made, unsuccessfully, to recruit Irish or EEA nationals for particular posts. A total of 5,776 such permits were issued last year.

I have recently submitted proposals to Government for the introduction of new legislation in regard to the operation of the work permit scheme. My intention is that the scheme will continue to operate on a flexible basis having regard to skill shortages in the Irish economy.