I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 78 together.
Arising from EU enlargement on 1 May 2004, Ireland's dependence on non-EEA labour changed fundamentally. On that date, Ireland lifted all work permit requirements in respect of workers from the ten new member states and it was decided that in future, most of Ireland's overseas labour needs and all of its needs for low and unskilled workers should be met from within the enlarged EEA. The EEA consists of the EU together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
Applications for work permits are now being considered by reference to the following criteria. The job requires explicitly identified skills. The onus is on the employer to provide job and person specifications which show such requirements. Such skills cannot be sourced within the enlarged EEA, after a genuine effort and at a realistic wage; The Department will continue to refer employers to local FÁS offices and will develop, in consultation with relevant agencies, clear guidelines on testing the EU labour market and appropriate ranges of pay; training and upskilling of Irish and EU workers is not an option, for stated reasons; and the identified candidate can be shown to possess the required qualifications and skills. The employer will be required to demonstrate that this is so.
My Department, informed by its experience of supply and demand, proposes that for the time being, it will continue with its current policy that has proven to be successful in reducing dependence on unskilled low-paid non-EU labour. This consists of using the current list of ineligible occupations as well as referring all applications for work permits, which do not meet with the criteria above, back to the applicant with the recommendation that EU workers are recruited instead. Work permits are not granted in respect of job categories on the ineligible list including child minding in domestic circumstances.