The Employment Permits Section informs me that an application in respect of the above named was received in the Section on the 8/2/2008. This was in respect of a job offer at that time for the position of a carer and FÁS approved the application for a work permit on 16/1/2008. A permit was issued on foot of this application on 25/2/2008 and was valid for the period 3/3/2008 to 2/3/2010. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform subsequently issued an entry visa enabling this person to take up employment in the State. I understand that the employee never took up employment on foot of this permit or this visa.
The Employment Permits Act 2006 put in place a statutory framework for Ireland's migration policy. This policy is vacancy-driven rather than based on quotas or points and the core of the policy is the offer of a job. Under the Act a permit must be applied for within 60 days of a job being offered or advertised.
In the event that an employment permit is issued taking into account the current policy at the time, then the non-EEA national is generally expected to take up employment from the start date of the permit or as soon as a visa is granted in the case of visa required non-EEA nationals. However, if the employer or the proposed employee wishes to submit a new application, following all the relevant procedures, it will be considered on its merits.