Vol. 524 No. 4
55 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the processing of work permit applications is taking so long particularly in the context of a complaint from a hotel manager (details supplied) in County Mayo. [22730/00]
I understand that the applicant concerned has, between end September and 10 October, submitted a number of applications for work permits to employ non-European economic area nationals in his hotel.
Because of the large number of applications for such permits received by my Department in recent months – 2,360 in September alone – the average waiting time for dealing with applications at present is about five weeks.
Work permits have already issued in respect of two of the people concerned and I will arrange to have the remaining applications examined as quickly as possible.
