Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 1

Written Answers. - Skill Shortages.

David Stanton

Question:

89 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, with regard to the skills shortage in certain sections of the economy, she will relax the conditions pertaining to the application by employers for work permits to employ non-European Economic Area nationals who have entered the State as visitors so such applications can be processed and considered without the need for the non-nationals to leave the jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13182/00]

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

With regard to skill shortages in certain sectors of the economy I recently announced, on behalf of the Government, the introduction of a new working visa-authorisation scheme whereby non EEA nationals who are qualified in the sectors concerned will be able to travel to Ireland to work provided they have an offer of a job from an employer here. The scheme will be operated through the Irish embassies and consulates abroad.

The conditions pertaining to non nationals who enter this State as visitors are a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

I understand that the present position is that a non EEA national, who enters the country on foot of a visa whose purpose is not for employment, is required to leave the country in order to apply for a work visa to take up employment here. Similar restrictions apply in most other comparable jurisdictions.

However, exceptions to this policy may be made by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in a number of circumstances, including where the person has been offered employment in areas of extreme skill shortages or where a person has been residing in the country to pursue third level studies and subsequently obtains an offer of employment in a directly related field.