Work Permits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2005

Wednesday, 11 May 2005

Questions (161, 162)

Joan Burton

Question:

205 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department was in any way involved in the issue of permits for exemption from PRSI to GAMA workers from Turkey; if his Department corresponded on the matter with the Department of Social and Family Affairs; and if the work permits issued by his Department to GAMA’s Turkish workers were subject to any inquiry or conditionality by his Department in respect of the location of employment and contract of employment of such workers. [15619/05]

Written answers

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

My Department has no function regarding PRSI payments by any company, nor has the Department been involved in determining the PRSI to be paid by any specific company. Work permits are only granted in respect of specific employments in the State.

I have sent a copy of the labour inspectorate's report of the investigation into alleged breaches of employment rights in GAMA to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Joan Burton

Question:

206 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the conditions which apply in respect of foreign workers granted a work permit here; if such workers are required to reside here and work for an Irish employer, agency or company registered here with a contract of employment in Ireland; and the information which is given in respect of such workers to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. [15620/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

Nationals of the European Economic Area, EEA, do not require an employment permit to work in Ireland. The EEA comprises the 25 EU member states, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and, for this purpose, Switzerland. Where an employer cannot source a person from within the EEA to fill a specific vacancy, that employer may make an application for a work permit in respect of a specified non-EEA national.

Non-EEA nationals who enter employment in Ireland under the work permit system have permission to remain in the State for the duration of the stated employment. Section 2 of the Employment Permits Act 2003 provides that work permits in Ireland are issued only in respect of employment positions in the State. There is no requirement for the employing company to be registered here.

Data protection considerations preclude the transfer of information from my Department to the Department of Social and Family Affairs in respect of non-EEA national workers.