Vol. 526 No. 4
81 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who have availed of the fast-track immigrant visa scheme to date in 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26702/00]
The working visa and work authorisation scheme was introduced to facilitate the recruitment of suitably qualified people from non-EEA countries for designated sectors of the employment market where skill shortages are particularly acute. At present, the new arrangements cover the information and computing technologies, construction professionals and nursing sectors. The latest available figures for the new scheme provide details of the number of working visas and work authorisations issued for the first five months of operation of the scheme. A total of 611 working visas and 221 work authorisations issued for this period, up until the end of October 2000.
I should stress that while FÁS does advertise vacancies in Ireland through its website and jobs fairs abroad, the decision to recruit people is made by private sector employers. The new system facilitates the entry of the prospective employees.
