Vol. 568 No. 1
197 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has made an application for a work permit; and if so, when it will be granted. [15437/03]
199 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 has made an application for a work permit; and if so, when it will be granted. [15439/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 199 together.
I am informed that there is no record of a valid work permit application in respect of either of these individuals. Work permit applications that are incorrect or incomplete are not regarded as valid applications and are returned to the employer for completion.
198 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W has made an application for a work permit; and if so, when it will be granted. [15438/03]
An application was submitted by an employer on behalf of the individual concerned on 10 April 2003. It is 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 is likely to be processed within the coming week. The Department is now issuing work permits at a rate of about 1,000 per week.
Question No. 199 answered with Question No. 197.
200 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions her Department has made to provide permanent work permits to non-nationals who are working as carers in the health sector. [15440/03]
The issuing of work permits in respect of non-nationals is the same for all sectors. Work permits are issued for a maximum of one year and they can be renewed annually. The fifth renewal of the work permit with the same employer is an unlimited work permit which has no expiry date.
