Jim Higgins
Ceist:92 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of visas issued to people who applied for work permits under the scheme introduced in May 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27533/00]
Written Answers. - Work Visas.
I replied on 14 November to a similar question from your colleague Deputy Owen as follows:
The working visa scheme covers high-skilled people in the information technology, nursing and construction sectors. Qualified people from non-EEA countries with job offers from employers in Ireland are given either working visas or work authorisations depending on whether the passports they hold are of visa-required countries.
In the five months to 31 October 2000, 611 working visas and 221 work authorisations, making a total of 832, were issued by Irish Embassies and Consulates.