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Work Permit Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2013

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Questions (105)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for work permits received by his Department in each of the past five years to date; the numbers granted and or refused in each of the years in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3676/13]

View answer

Written answers

Since 2004, Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from within the work force of the European Economic Area (EEA). Current Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand for strategic skills and labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors such as healthcare, information technology and financial services.

The number of permits processed over the last five years are detailed in Appendix 1.

The numbers of employment permit applications submitted and issued have dropped since 2008 in line with economic conditions and the narrowing of eligible job categories and sectors where it was considered that a sufficient supply of labour exists. It is anticipated that the rate of decline in applications will reduce following a number of changes being made to the Employment Permits system shortly in order to attract more applications in respect of highly skilled employees, especially in the ICT sector, as it has been shown that a significant shortage of skilled employees currently exists in that sector.

Appendix 1

Employment Permits Processed

Year

No of applications

No of new permits Issued

No of permits renewed

Total no of permits Issued

No of permits refused

No of applications withdrawn

2012

5075

2916

1088

4004

825

246

2011

6422

3179

2012

5191

1030

201

2010

8495

3378

3908

7286

996

213

2009

9704

3717

3765

7482

1781

441

2008

15892

8371

4957

13328

2225

339

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