Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
198. Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of working holiday authorisations granted to American citizens who have applied through Irish embassies and consulates in the United States over the past five years. [16507/18]
View answerIn 2008 Ireland and the US signed a memorandum of understanding on a 12 month Intern Work and Travel Pilot Programme (a.k.a. the Working Holiday Agreement) that enables Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each other's country for up to 12 months.
The agreement reflects not only the close historical and cultural links between Ireland and the United States of America, but also the vibrancy of the modern economic and commercial relationship between our countries.
The Working Holiday Agreement is intended to facilitate US citizens who wish to travel for an extended period in Ireland and to engage in employment as an incidental aspect of their holiday.
The total numbers of WHAs granted to US Citizens that have applied through the Irish Embassy in Washington, D.C., and our six Consulates across the US over the last five years, are as follows:
Total Over 5 Years:
|
Year |
Number granted |
|
2017 |
528 |
|
2016 |
426 |
|
2015 |
293 |
|
2014 |
323 |
|
2013 |
202 |
|
Total |
1,772 |
