Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the issuing of work permits; the number of applications that are currently waiting to be processed in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44959/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits in the past year and a half, which impacted on processing times.
From the start of January to the end of December 2021, some 27,666 applications were received, representing a 69% increase over the same period in 2020 (16,293) and a 47% increase on 2019 (18,811), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications. 16,275 employment permits were issued in 2021, and a total of 17,968 applications processed, which represents a significant volume of activity. This increased demand was also driven by the extension of categories of employment permits following the Review of the Occupational Lists in October 2021.
The Department and I recognised the impact delays in the processing times for employment permits has had for businesses and their workers. Therefore, an internal plan of action was implemented which has increased resources and implemented more efficient methods of processing applications in the permits system. The processing team has trebled in size and daily output has more than tripled compared to 2021 levels.
Since the implementation of this plan, the Employment Permits Unit has made positive progress by reducing the number of applications awaiting processing from c. 11,000 in January 2022 to approximately 2,500 today, despite further strong growth in demand during 2022 for permits.
The table below details the number of Employment Permits by permit type currently awaiting processing.
|
Permit Type |
Awaiting Processing |
|
Critical Skills Employment Permit |
1,487 |
|
General Employment Permit |
871 |
|
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit |
127 |
|
Sport and Cultural Employment Permit |
12 |
|
Reactivation Employment Permit |
8 |
|
Internship Permit |
4 |
|
Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit |
2 |
|
Contract for Services |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
2,512 |
