Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Nora Owen

Question:

101 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times contact has been made with the out-of-office hours telephone service between immigration officers and the work permit section of her Department since its establishment in March 2001; the nature of any such contract; the number of people who were given permission to enter the country as a result of these contacts; the number of people who were disallowed entry as a result of these contacts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10000/02]

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

It has not proved necessary to use this service on a very regular basis and at most it is used several times per month, generally when the immigration officers wish to satisfy themselves regarding a work permit holder or, in some cases, that an application has been made for a permit.

The Department has no need to keep a log of such queries or, indeed, to know what might be the final outcome of such queries. It should be mentioned that any decision not to admit a person presenting themselves at a port of entry is a matter for the relevant immigration officer. Information relating to work permit status might not be relevant or might be only one factor among several deemed relevant to such a decision.

Bernard Allen

Question:

102 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the guidelines used by her Department to process applications for work permits by non-EEA doctors. [10067/02]

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

Work permit applications are processed on the basis of a correctly completed application form, receipt of the appropriate fee and compliance with the necessary visa requirements. Applications for permits on behalf of non-EAA doctors must also include medical validation (a certificate of registration with the Irish Medical Council).

Applications in respect of medical personnel are exempt from FÁS requirements which have been mandatory since January 2002.