Bernard Allen
Ceist:75 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued, category by category, in 1999 to 2001, inclusive. [5202/02]
Written Answers. - Work Permits.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:76 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued to non-EU nurses in 1999 to 2001, inclusive. [5203/02]
Bernard Allen
Ceist:77 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued to non-EU doctors in 1999 to 2001, inclusive. [5204/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together.
Work permit statistics are not broken down into separate categories for nurses and doctors. The current statistics include medical and nursing under the one heading.
Work Permits issued in 1999 to 2001, inclusive.
|
Category |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
|
Agriculture and Fisheries |
449 |
2,980 |
5,714 |
|
Catering |
697 |
3,920 |
9,129 |
|
Domestic |
80 |
200 |
521 |
|
Education |
306 |
370 |
480 |
|
Entertainment |
453 |
651 |
1,021 |
|
Exchange Agreement |
60 |
75 |
61 |
|
Industry |
414 |
1,750 |
3,119 |
|
Medical and Nursing |
721 |
1,360 |
2,252 |
|
Service Industry |
3,010 |
6,580 |
14,018 |
|
Sport |
60 |
120 |
121 |
|
Total |
6,250 |
18,006 |
36,436 |
Paul Bradford
Ceist:78 Mr. Bradford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the severe staff shortages in the various equine enterprises here; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that hundreds of non-nationals are available to take up these vacancies, if the appropriate work permit applications are processed; and if she will ensure a fast-track application procedure for these work permit applications. [5205/02]
I have received representations from a number of firms in the equine industry regarding staff shortages and requesting special treatment in regard to applications for work permits.
Applications for work permits are processed strictly in the order in which they are received. My Department's work permits section regularly receives representations from various companies and industries seeking special treatment in regard to the processing of applications. In view of the number of sectors seeking priority attention I do not consider that it would be fair or practical to single out a particular sector for special attention. Where an emergency arises the work permits section is prepared to consider the case on its merits.
The new procedures, introduced with effect from 2 January, are intended to assist employers to find personnel from within the home market, in the first instance, or in the wider European economic area. Applications for work permits will be considered where this cannot be done. There is no question of denying work permits to this or any other sector.