Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if Ireland has any agreements with Canada regarding the provision of employment visas; if so the mechanism available to a person to make such applications, or if not, if there are any proposals to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4327/11]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that Ireland has a reciprocal arrangement in place with Canada under the Working Holiday Programme. The Working Holiday Programme provides young people with a once off opportunity to holiday for an extended period, not exceeding one year, and to engage in employment as an incidental aspect of their holiday in order to supplement their income while travelling. Participants under the Programme are not allowed to extend their stay for longer than 12 months and may not avail of a working holiday a second time.

Working Holiday Programmes are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs so that applicants in Canada wishing to apply under the Working Holiday Programme should apply through their local Embassy or Consulate. Irish-based applicants should apply to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Outside of this arrangement, the normal employment permit requirements currently applicable to non-EEA nationals wishing to work in Ireland apply. Further information and the specific conditions for new employment permits can be found on my Department's website at www.deti.ie.