Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I outlined, the Department has done an extraordinary job in effectively changing, modernising and improving the efficiency of the work permit system. I pay tribute to my predecessor and the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, who is also involved in that discussion.

This time last year, this was a huge issue for many businesses. It is no longer an issue from a delay perspective. There are still issues, though, that need further consideration, one of which the Deputy spoke about. We effectively have an application system whereby a work permit can be obtained for a person but a visa must also be obtained to bring that person here. Those two systems operate independently of each other. The visa application could take considerably longer, so even if a person gets his or her work permit within a working week, that is no good if we cannot bring the person in. My Department and the Department of Justice are now talking about how we can streamline a single application system that would involve a visa and work permit. That is not a straightforward process legally, however. It involves two separate Departments and security checks and so on but we are working on that. I do not expect significant progress on that until probably next year.

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