Vol. 509 No. 4
107 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the decision to award work permits to non-European economic area nationals is made on an arbitrary basis; if there are guidelines and criteria in place used to determine these applications; if so, if she will provide details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20398/99]
A decision to grant work permits to employers to allow them employ non European Economic Area nationals in the State is not made on an arbitrary basis.
The objectives of work permit policy are outlined in page 150 of the Freedom of Information Act Reference Book, published by my Department. A copy is lodged in the Dáil Library.
The criteria for deciding work permit applications is set out in (i) the Freedom of Information Act Reference Book, pages 151-154 refer, (ii) on the Department's website the address is as follows: http://www.entemp.ie/erir/workpermits.html and (iii) in an information leaflet which can be obtained from the employment regulation section of my Department.
Where financial institutions apply redemption fees in accordance with the circumstances of section 121(2), they are obliged to provide a statement outlining how the charge is to be calculated. It is a requirement that this statement be included in the mortgage application form and in other documents, such as loan approval forms, produced by the institutions.
Section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act requires credit institutions to notify the Director of Consumer Affairs of all charges for services to customers. This includes mortgage lenders in relation to the manner in which they calculate redemption fees in respect of fixed rate loans which are redeemed early.
