Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2022
102. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will remove the requirement for the hospitality sector to produce a HSE letter confirming their possession of a restaurant licence when applying for an employment permit; if the employment permit section of his Department will accept a copy of a valid restaurant licence as part of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22530/22]
View answerUnder the Employment Permits legislation my Department applies a range of criteria to both the employer and the employee when assessing an application for an employment permit, including that a contractual relationship exists, minimum annual remuneration requirements are met and that any registration requirements are met prior to issuing the permit.
When assessing an application for an employment permit for a role in a restaurant, additional documentary requirements are prescribed. This includes the requirement for the employer to establish tax compliance, copies of the restaurant premises utility bills for within a certain period, and a letter from the relevant official agency confirming that the employer has registered its premises in accordance with member States of the EEA regulations with regard to hygiene and foodstuffs. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is the competent authority for regulating food businesses in Ireland and in establishing a restaurant’s compliance with these EU regulations.
The Department has made available a specific checklist for the restaurant sector to assist with applications for General Employment Permits. This checklist is available on the Department’s website at enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Checklist-for-Chefs.pdf.
