Vol. 523 No. 4
53 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if applications for a work permit for persons (details supplied) in County Galway have been granted; if not, if she will expedite the applications; and the reason for the delay. [21340/00]
Applications for work permits in respect of the four individuals concerned have been received by my Department and are currently being examined.
Because of the large number of applications for work permits received by my Department in recent months – 2,366 in September alone – the average waiting time for dealing with applications at present is about six weeks. Steps are being taken to reduce this waiting period and it is my intention, ultimately, that applicants should have to wait no longer than one week.
I will arrange to have these applications examined as quickly as possible.
