asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the serious problem experienced by the health boards as a result of the long delay in processing work permits for foreign personnel; the plans he has to have such processing expedited; the charge for such a service; when the charge was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Work Permit Applications.
586.
Work permits are not granted until it is clear that the skills and qualifications required for the particular position on offer cannot be found among the available workforce in Ireland or among the European Community.
The procedures followed by my Department in ensuring that there is no Irish or EC national available involve written communication with the National Manpower Service and with the representative association and, in certain cases, circulation of details of the vacant position to national offices of the European Community Placement Service, SEDOC. There is also an obligation to ensure that the position of the prospective employee has been regularised with the Department of Justice.
In a substantial number of cases involving health boards, particularly where locum doctors are concerned, applications are submitted for work permits in respect of persons due to take up duty at short notice and the timing of the application makes it extremely difficult to comply with the necessary procedures. My officials have also been obliged to seek additional requirements which on a number of occasions should have been submitted with the original application from the health board.
My Department are continually striving to improve and streamline the procedures required to administer the work permit system and I am satisfied that every effort is being made to expedite the processing of applications consistent with protecting the legitimate interests of Irish and EC personnel. The work permit fee of £50 per annum was introduced by the then Minister for Labour in October 1982.
The total number of work permit applications processed on behalf of the health boards in 1984 was 304 and the number processed to date in 1985 amounts to 169. The number of applications on hand at present amounts to 121 and in the case of 117 of these applications the health boards have been asked to supply either a photograph of the subject or the work permit fee which is required before any work permit may issue.