Vol. 466 No. 7
159 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether his Department has issued work permits to non-EU nationals to work as sheep shearers in this country; if so, the number and duration of such work permits issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12239/96]
I have had the records checked on this matter and I can confirm that my Department has not issued work permits to any employer in respect of sheep shearers from non-EU countries.
Work permit policy is based on the need to ensure that job opportunities which arise in the State are, as far as possible, reserved for Irish or European economic area nationals. Work permits are not granted unless the employer can show that, despite all reasonable efforts having been made, there are no suitably qualified Irish or EEA nationals available for the position in question. Applications for work permits in respect of sheep shearers would be unlikely to be granted as the Department would be of the opinion that these posts could be filled from within the Irish or EEA workforce.
