Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2012
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the criteria affecting the approval of application for work permits in the course of the past three years have altered in this or other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42057/12]
View answerSince 2004, a key element of Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from indigenous labour and, in line with our EU community obligations, from within the workforce of the European Union. For strategic skills or labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors, Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand. The various schemes that give effect to such policies were introduced following enactment of the Employment Permits Act, 2006.
In early 2009, the Department undertook a review of employment permit arrangements to ensure their continuing relevance to the needs of the Irish labour market. As an outcome of this review, more stringent eligibility criteria were implemented for prospective new entrants to the work permit schemes from 1 June 2009 onwards. The main features of the new measures included:
- expanding the ineligible list of occupations for which permits can be issued;
- increasing by 50% the fees charged at renewal stage for new permits issued after 1 June 2009, and
- reduction in the number of occupations for which Green Cards are issued.
The Employment Permits Act 2006 allows for regular review of Ireland’s economic migration policies and my Department keeps these policies under review, in line with the emerging needs of the labour market, on an on-going basis.
Other EU countries may also review their policies in this regard depending on the factors pertaining to their respective economies.
