asked the Minister for Labour the average annual number of non-citizens over the last ten years who (a) applied for, and (b) have been refused work permits; and the main categories of work in respect of which applications were made.
Written Answers. - Work Permits.
237.
The average number of permits granted to employers under the Aliens Order, 1946, in each of the last ten years was 1,252. The average number of outright refusals was 12. However, in many other cases applicants withdrew their applications when pressed by the Department for further necessary information about the availability of Irish workers.
The main categories of work for which applications were made were industrial, catering and domestic. Practically all the permits issued for industrial workers related to skilled personnel required for setting up new industries, installing specialised plant, or training Irish workers.