Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
235 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if an application for an employment permit will be considered for positions offering a salary of more than €20,000 for a post of work that has limited qualified applicants to choose from domestically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35354/12]
View answerIt is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of:
highly skilled, highly paid positions or;
non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or;
positions requiring specialist or scarce skills, expertise or qualifications which cannot be filled elsewise.
Furthermore permits are issued in respect of employment where it is established that a minimum salary of €30,000 per annum is on offer, based on a 39 hour week.
The policy reflects the need to ensure that every opportunity for employment is afforded to those in the national labour market and in determining this policy the Government is also mindful that employers have access, without restriction, to the wider EU and European Economic Area labour market.
