Vol. 571 No. 1
263 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if FÁS, in accordance with instructions from her Department, is preventing the filling of employment posts by non-nationals; if work permit renewal delays are causing problems for small and medium businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20606/03]
Work permits are currently being renewed within three to four weeks of applications being received in my Department, assuming the application is in order. There is no FÁS requirement in regard to work permit renewals. The FÁS requirement introduced with effect from 9 April 2003 applies to only new applications for work permits whereby certain occupational categories are ineligible for work permits. My Department and FÁS are satisfied that there are sufficient personnel available to fill the vacancies arising in these occupational categories. New work permits are currently being processed within 6 weeks of applications being received in my Department.
