Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 7

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

61 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason there are long delays in issuing work permits to people who are coming to work here; if her attention has been drawn to the recruitment drive by many firms, particularly in Newfoundland in recent months; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that many of those people had an interest in working here but had to reschedule their flights on several occasions because of the delay in the issuing of work permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14768/00]

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

The reason for the increased waiting time for decisions on applications for work permits to employ non-Euro pean economic area nationals is the large number of such applications now being received by my Department. The volume of applications has been growing significantly over the past 18 months and has increased particularly sharply since the beginning of this year.

My attention has indeed been drawn to the recruitment drive by certain firms in Newfoundland in recent months and I would like to take the opportunity to point out that it is also incumbent on those seeking to recruit persons from outside the EEA to acquaint themselves with the necessary procedures and requirements to qualify for a work permit and to give accurate advice both to prospective employers and to prospective employees. My Department has some concerns in this area and has already conveyed them directly to the parties involved.

The applications concerned are being dealt with by my Department as quickly as possible.