Vol. 572 No. 6
160 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued for each of the past three years and to date in 2003; and if a more simplified approach for the issue and management of same has been considered. [23961/03]
The management and processing of work permit applications has been reviewed regularly by my Department and continues be monitored in detail. The priority is to facilitate employers needing key workers from outside the EU while at the same time ensuring that no Irish or other EU workers are being deprived of employment as a result. The problems that have arisen have been as a result of the very rapid increase in applications over the past three years. The figures given below are for permits granted and do not show total numbers of applications. Currently, new applications are being processed in less than four weeks and renewals more quickly again. Detailed statistics on work permits issued are available on the work permits page of my Department's website at www.entemp.ie
|
Year |
Newpermits |
Renewals |
Grouppermits |
Total |
|
2000 |
15,434 |
2,271 |
301 |
18,006 |
|
2001 |
29,594 |
6,485 |
357 |
36,436 |
|
2002 |
23,326 |
16,562 |
433 |
40,321 |
|
2003* |
17,595 |
18,223 |
407 |
36,225 |
