Vol. 541 No. 5
126 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has considered putting in place a fast-track work permit procedure for healthcare workers; the waiting time in respect of determining applications for work permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21052/01]
In April 2000, I introduced a "fast track" process entitled the working visa/work authorisation scheme for the employment of non-EEA nationals. This scheme applies to registered nurses as well as employees in the information and computing technologies sector and construction professionals. This scheme makes it possible for prospective employees with job offers from employers in Ireland to obtain immigration and employment clearance in advance from Irish embassies and Consulates abroad. Working visas and work authorisations are issued to the employee to come to this country to work for a period of up to two years. Provided that everything is in order, the processing time for dealing with the applications averages about six working days.
The processing time for work permit applications has risen this year due to the unprecedented number of applications that continue to be received in the Department. The number of applications has increased from an average of 350 applications per week last year to over 1,000 per week recently. Increases in staff resources and overtime have facilitated the issue of over 26,800 work permits in the first eight months of this year compared to 18,000 for the full year in 2000.
The current processing time for the issue of work permits is approximately eight weeks assuming that the application is correct and complete. The Department is continuing to examine options for significantly reducing the processing time for the issue of work permits.
Consideration is also being given to expanding the categories of healthcare personnel to which the working visa/work authorisation facility can be extended.
Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 96.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 113.
Question No. 129 answered with Question No. 116.
