Vol. 561 No. 2
175 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an extension and transfer of a work permit until November 2003 will be awarded to a person (details supplied); and if not, if the local FÁS office has any suitable available staff to do this work. [3899/03]
Further information in relation to the application in question has been requested from the employer and on receipt of this the application will be considered further. A work permit application is normally considered by my Department only after the employer has advertised the vacancy with FÁS for at least four weeks.
176 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied) to work for an employer (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3901/03]
An application in this case was received in early January 2003. It is the policy to process work permit applications in the order in which they are received. Assuming the application is completed correctly and is otherwise in order, it will take approximately seven weeks to process from the date of receipt.
