Vol. 497 No. 7
22 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the interests of economic sense and social justice will be best served by having a more liberal policy on work permits for non-EU nationals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25732/98]
My policy, in relation to employment generally, is to ensure that job opportunities which arise in this country are, as far as possible, filled by Irish or other European economic area nationals. Where this is not possible or practicable, however, my policy is to issue work permits to employers to employ non EEA nationals where they can demonstrate that a genuine effort has already been made by them to recruit from the existing workforce and where the relevant immigration requirements and legislation have been complied with in respect of the application concerned.
Since taking up office, I have been extremely liberal in facilitating employers who wish to employ non-EEA nationals. Approximately 95 per cent of the applications made to my Department for work permits are, ultimately, granted.
