Vol. 519 No. 2
91 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the basis on which qualified persons who have an application for refugee status in various stages of processing can make an application for the 200,000 work visas which she is currently promoting for non-EU applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13515/00]
The initiative I recently announced on behalf of the Government is aimed at allowing non-European economic area nationals with certain specialist skills to apply in their country of origin for a special authorisation to come to this country to work on foot of a specific offer of employment.
It does not apply to asylum seekers, who are in a different category and whose cases will continue to be dealt with in the normal way by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
