Vol. 538 No. 1
69 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current processing period to obtain work permits for non-nationals; the consideration which has been given to putting a fast track system in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16978/01]
115 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average length of time required to process an application for a work permit in her Department, from receipt of the application to final decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17456/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 115 together.
The processing period for obtaining work permits for non-nationals is always dependant on the individual circumstances of each case. The processing period for work permits is currently taking up to seven weeks. The number of applications received by my Department is continuing to grow at an unprecedented rate. It increased from an average of 600 per week at end year 2000 to an average of 1,000 per week recently. Some 4,400 applications for processing, including cases not yet registered, were received in the month of May, the highest so far this year. The highest comparable monthly figure received last year was 2,300.
The number of work permits issued for the first five months of this year was 14,200 compared to 4,175 for the same period in 2000. This reflects the considerable commitment being made by my Department, through increased staffing levels and overtime working, to meet the ever increasing demands of employers applying for work permits.
