Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

94 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has an open door attitude to applications for work permits by Australian citizens in view of the fact very many young Irish people are working in Australia; the number of applications for work permits by or on behalf of Australian citizens over the past two years; the number granted; the number refused; and the main grounds for refusal. [25136/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

Applications for work permits in respect of Australian nationals are dealt with by my Department on the same basis as applications in respect of other non-European economic area nationals.

The numbers of work permits granted and refused over the past two years have been as follows:

Year	Granted	Refused
1998	309	15
1997	218	22

The principal reason for refusal would be where young Australians come here under the working holiday exchange programme but did not return when their term was up and instead tried to enter the workforce here on a full-time basis contrary to the terms of the scheme.