Vol. 383 No. 1
asked the Minister for Labour if he will indicate the number of work permits which his Department has granted since 1 January 1988; if, in respect of such permits, he will indicate the areas of employment to which they relate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
270.
asked the Minister for Labour the number of applications for work permits which he has received since 1 January 1988, and which have been refused by him; if, in respect of those applications, he will outline the reasons for refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
A total of one thousand nine hundred and twenty four (1,924) applications for work permits were considered by my Department in the period 1 January to 30 September 1988.
Of this figure one thousand two hundred and twenty-five (1,225) applications were in respect of new permits and six hundred and ninety nine (699) applications were in respect of renewals of work permits. One thousand one hundred and twenty seven (1,127) new work permits and six hundred and seventy six (676) renewals issued. Ninety eight (98) applications for new work permits and twenty-three (23) applications for renewals were refused.
The employment categories for which work permits were issued were
|
Category |
Numbers |
|
Industry |
387 |
|
Medical |
753 |
|
Services |
456 |
|
Others |
207 |
|
Total |
1,803 |
My policy in relation to the issue or refusal of a work permit is based on the need to ensure that employment opportunities arising here are reserved for Irish and EC nationals. The issue of a work permit is not considered unless an employer can show that despite all reasonable efforts, no suitably qualified Irish or European Community nationals are available for the position in question or that there are special circumstances (e.g. the prospective employee is married to an Irish national; the prospective employee is an officially recognised refugee; the prospective employee is a key worker and that a substantial amount of high quality employment for Irish/EC nationals will arise as a result; or the person is coming as part of a recognised exchange programme). In addition, workers in respect of whom work permits are issued must satisfy immigration regulations.
