Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
18. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if there was a delay to, or a freeze placed on, the issuing of new work permits and the renewal of work permits for work riders in the horse racing industry in each of the years 2001 to 2006, respectively; and if her Department at that time received representations from the horse racing industry to overturn the freeze. [37430/17]
View answerMy Department has been unable to establish if there were any issues relating to the awarding of employment permits for work riders in the horse riding industry in respect of the years 2001-2006. Data on the numbers of employment permits issued is available from 2005 with 216 issuing to work riders in that year, and 324 in 2006.
Up until 1 June 2009, work riders were eligible for Work Permit Employment Permits (now known as General Employment Permits). In early 2009 my Department undertook a review of the employment permit regime to ensure its ongoing relevance to the needs of the then Irish labour market. Following this review revised eligibility requirements for new employment permits were applied to prospective first-time entrants to the Irish labour market from 1 June 2009. These measures were principally concerned with strengthening the qualifying conditions for the granting of new Work Permit Employment Permits to non-EEA nationals for occupations requiring lower skills and qualifications and in respect of vacancies which could increasingly be filled by Irish and other EEA citizens.
With effect from 1 June 2009, work rider became an ineligible occupation for new Work Permit Employment Permits. However, permits granted in respect of this occupation prior to that date continued to be eligible for renewal. Work riders remains on the Ineligible Categories of Employment List.
