Written Answers Nos. 1-45
43. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of foreign travel episodes arranged by his Department for elected representatives, Ministers and their staff and-or special advisers since 1 January 2018 to date in 2022; and if he will provide a schedule of locations of the travel arranged or advised on, to include the final destination of travel episode, by year, and the full cost of same. [8513/22]
View answerAs Taoiseach, I regularly travel to participate in formal and informal meetings of the European Council, in Brussels and elsewhere. In keeping with the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy, I also place a high importance on engaging actively with fellow Heads of State and Government, both within the EU and more widely. I also use international visits to promote Ireland’s trade, culture, investment and enterprise interests, as well as to engage with Irish communities and to hear at first hand their experiences and concerns. On my visits I am usually accompanied by a small delegation, comprising senior officials/advisors and private office staff, according to the particular requirements of the programme.
Detailed information on foreign travel, including the destination and costs, for myself, advisers and senior officials who travel with me, as well as costs related to the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State are published on a monthly basis on my Department’s website under the heading Foreign Travel Reports. My officials will send details of the web address to the Deputy. All necessary expenditure on official travel such as flights, hotel accommodation, rail tickets, bus and taxi fares, ground transport and subsistence payments are in line with my Department's Travel Policy which is based on guidelines laid down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Department seeks at all times to ensure best value for money is sought in respect of each official trip undertaken, consistent with the requirements of official business.
44. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding a work permit application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8486/22]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a General Employment Permit application for the employer concerned (in the details supplied) was received on 7 October 2022.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. Applicants can keep track of Employment Permit applications current processing dates at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/Current-Processing-Dates-for-Employment-Permits.html.
If a permit is urgently required, an applicant may request to have an application expedited. A request to have an application expedited will only be considered in exceptional cases. The Department can only consider a request to expedite an employment permit application where a detailed business case is provided.
Once the business case is completed it should be submitted to Employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie for consideration. It is important to point out that the completion of a business case does not guarantee that an expedite will be facilitated. A business case is required to be completed for each individual request.
45. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will contact IDA Ireland with a view to filling the post of a south east regional manager immediately due to the recent promotion of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8487/22]
View answerThe appointment of a Regional Manager for the South-East Region is an operational matter for IDA Ireland, though I understand the recruitment process for that position is currently underway.
I am also informed that the IDA Team in the South-East Region is, on a temporary basis, reporting to the Department Manager- Regional Development.
