Vol. 544 No. 3
91 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions she has had with the Department of the Environment and Local Government concerning the problems which arise for some employers relating to accommodation for temporary workers coming from overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28478/01]
I have had no specific discussions with the Department of the Environment and Local Government concerning problems relating to accommodation for temporary workers coming from overseas. However, the Government is implementing through that Department a range of measures designed to increase the overall supply of accommodation.
Many employers seeking to recruit from overseas provide accommodation for such personnel. Clearly, any shortage of accommodation will, over time, constitute a constraint on recruitment from overseas. While I appreciate that some non-EEA workers taking up employment in Ireland may share a problem that many Irish workers changing employment have in securing suitable accommodation, this is not a matter which falls within my responsibilities.
