Vol. 504 No. 5
50 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will introduce amending legislation with regard to the rights of non-nationals to seek and retain work; if permits will be made available to employers to fill specific positions or to such persons seeking employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12208/99]
My Department currently operates a work permit scheme which allows employers to recruit non-European economic area nationals – persons other than nationals of the member states of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – where specialised skills are not readily available here or where reasonable efforts have been made, unsuccessfully, to recruit Irish or EEA nationals for particular posts.
I have recently submitted proposals to Government for the introduction of new legislation in respect of the work permit scheme. While it is my intention that the new legislation should reflect the need for a flexible scheme, having regard, in particular, to skill shortages in the Irish economy, I have no plans to alter the position whereby the permits are made available to employers in respect of the employment by them of employees with specific skills. The permits are not issued directly to the employees concerned.
