Vol. 526 No. 4
197 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to areas of employment most in need of employees; the degree to which this need can be met from overseas through the issue of work permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27045/00]
198 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the skills available arising from applications for work permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27046/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.
My attention has been drawn to the sectors of the economy most in need of employees and to the degree to which this can be met by overseas labour.
This was why the Government, on my initiative, earlier this year introduced a new simplified work visa-authorisation scheme to meet the labour needs of certain key sectors such as information and communications technology, construction professionals and nursing.
This makes it possible for prospective employees with job offers from employers in Ireland to obtain immigration and employment clearance in advance from Irish embassies and consulates and to come to this country to work for a period of up to two years.
For other sectors, my Department are prepared to consider issuing work permits to Irish employers where they are unable to get Irish or other European economic area nationals to fill specific jobs and where the relevant immigration and labour law requirements are met. To date, this year, my Department has issued more than 15,000 such permits, compared with 6250 for all of last year.
The areas of highest demand are IT, medicine, catering and agriculture-horticulture.
While there is strong demand from the industry and services sectors generally, there appears to be very little demand from the construction sector and it may be that this sector is meeting most of its needs from within the European economic area.
