Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's latest update on the live register figures, which shows a far more positive outlook as unemployment rates continue to fall. I will raise the issue of the continuing challenges faced by our hospitality and tourism sector that is struggling to fill significant numbers of vacancies ahead of the tourism season. Long delays in getting work permits and personal public service, PPS, numbers are slowing down recruitment of restaurant, hospitality and tourism workers. In some instances, it is taking up to six weeks to get new PPS numbers for workers from EU countries. While I understand some welfare offices are experiencing high levels of demand for PPS numbers, will the Minister outline what efforts are being made to reduce wait times for issuing PPS numbers for this crucial sector?

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