Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1133. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if additional staff will be put in place in order to deal with the backlog in processing applications under the atypical working scheme, and in particular where it relates to qualified medical and care professionals seeking to work in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38006/23]
View answerIreland’s Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill short term labour market gaps. In recognition of the importance of frontline medical personnel, the AWS Unit prioritises these applications.
Additional resources have been added to manage the Scheme earlier this year. I am pleased to say that for medical personnel the processing times for applications have reduced in recent weeks and are now approximately in line with the business target of 20 working days.
There has been an unprecedented demand for AWS permissions this year, with a significant increase in the number of applications for healthcare workers. The number of applications received in the first six months of this year is 5,376. This represents an increase of 65% of applications that were received in the same period of last year.
My Department is continuing to work to reduce processing times through the modernisation of our systems and the introduction of efficiencies, as well as additional streamlining measures which should also reduce processing times for AWS applications.
The AWS unit continues to liaise with all relevant stakeholders in this area and further information on the Atypical Working Scheme, including the criteria for documents, is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-work-visa-options/applying-for-a-long-stay-employment-visa/atypical-working-scheme/
