Work Permits Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Questions (798)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

798. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the fact the employment permits section is refusing to issue permits under Regulation 6(2)(h) of the Employment Permits Regulations 2014 for failure to submit a tax clearance certificate, even though paper certificates are no longer issued and all tax clearance verification is now done by way of access number; if she will instruct the employment permits section to accept access numbers where tax clearance certificates are required or, if necessary, to amend the regulations; the steps she will take to ensure the employment permits section is kept up to date on changes in Revenue Commissioners' practice so that employment permit requirements can be adjusted accordingly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20763/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The requirement to furnish an up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate in the situation where an employment permit is sought for employment in a restaurant is prescribed in Regulation 5(2)(i)(II) of the Employment Permits Regulations 2014 as amended. The eTax Clearance system put in place by the Revenue Commissioners includes the capacity to print or create a PDF version of the Tax Clearance Certificate which is generated when the appropriate registration details are entered into the Revenue Online Service (ROS). Officials in my Department are required under Regulation to request this document.

The Employment Permits Section of my Department keeps developments relating to the application process, including changes in practice by the Revenue Commissioners, under review. The design and development of an interface with the Revenue Commissioners’ eTax Clearance system is scheduled to commence once the new Employment Permits Online System is launched in the autumn. Until such time as the interface is available and the necessary amendments to the Regulations are made in order to accommodate such changes, a copy of the Tax Clearance Certificate will continue to be required.