Paul Bradford
Question:139 Mr. Bradford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will review her decision to reject an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork for two work permits. [16965/01]
Written Answers. - Work Permits.
In general, the current policy in relation to the employment of nationals from outside the European economic area, EEA, is that the number employed should not exceed more than 50% of the total employed.
From the information supplied on file by the employer concerned when applying for work permits, it appears that he has two EEA nationals and three non-EEA nationals employed already. It has since been indicated that the two new applications are intended to replace two current employees whose work permits are valid until September 2001. Subject to the applicant complying fully with the standard application criteria, I expect that my Department will be in a position in September to issue new work permits to replace those due to expire at that time.
Questions Nos. 140 and 141 answered with Question No. 134.
Dan Neville
Question:142 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department will process an application for a work permit for a person (details supplied) in view of the special circumstances. [17040/01]
Denis Naughten
Question:145 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17200/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 145 together.
It is the policy of this Department to process all applications for work permits strictly in the order in which they are received. Assuming that an application has been completed correctly and is otherwise in order, it should take approximately seven weeks to process from date of receipt.
The processing time has increased due to the unprecedented number of applications being received in my Department. The number has increased from an average of 600 per week at the end of 2000 to an average of 1,000 per week currently. Increases in staff resources and overtime working have facilitated the issue of over 14,000 work permits in the first five months of 2001, compared to 4,175 which were issued in the same period last year.
My Department is continuing to examine options for significantly reducing the processing time for the issue of permits.