Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 1

Written Answers. - Work Permits.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

84 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of non-nationals for whom applications for work permits have been made since 1 January 2000; the number of permits granted; the number of permits refused; the current estimated processing time of such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21283/00]

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

The total number of work permits issued to employers to allow them to employ non-European economic area nationals in the State for the year to date and the number refused were as follows:

Year	Total No. Issued	Refused
2000 (to date)	11,583	308

At present we have 2,400 applications on hand. Because of the large number of applications for work permits received by my Department in recent months – 2,360 in September alone – the average waiting time for dealing with applications at present is about six weeks. Steps are being taken to reduce this waiting period and it is my intention, ultimately, that applicants should have to wait no longer than one week.