Senator Morrissey and others referred to the exploitation of the work permits system. Concentrating most of our immigration needs within the enlarged EU should reduce the capacity for exploitation by charging for permits. In this regard, problems with the processing time was referred to. At present more than 1,000 permits a week are processed. Although the economy is slowing, there is an increasing demand for permits, from 3,000 applications in January 2002 to 4,000 in January 2003.