Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 4

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

106 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for work permits received in her Department in each of the past two years; the average length of time taken to process each application; the number approved, rejected and still outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26769/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

189 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for work permits currently in her Department; the number processed on a weekly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27036/00]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 189 together.

The total number of work permits issued to Irish employers to allow them to employ non-European economic area nationals in the State for the year 1999 and the year to-date, as well as the number refused, were as follows:

Year	Total No. Issued	Refused
1999	6,258	278
2000 (to 20 November)	15,210	375

Last month, October, a total of over 2500 applications were dealt with by my Department; this approximates to over 600 per week. We currently have over 2000 applications on hand. The time taken to deal with applications will always depend on the individual circumstances of the case but, at present, the average time taken is about four weeks.

Because of the unprecedented increase in the volume of applications, sanction has now been received from the Department of Finance for ten additional staff for the work permit section of my Department in order to eliminate the need for overtime and Saturday working, as at present, and to reduce the waiting period for applicants.