Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, and thank her for taking this Commencement matter. I understand that the Tánaiste is abroad. I thank him, his staff and the Minister of State, Deputy English. While I wish to discuss the frustration among employers and people who are coming to the country with the work permit system, it is first important to acknowledge that the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy English, are committed to solving this problem. They have a plan in place as well as people who are working to accelerate the process.

There is significant frustration. In Tipperary, I am inundated with calls from people who are trying to get work permits for construction workers, agricultural workers, engineers and hotel chefs. The process from when they start looking for someone to the very end is frustrating. Often, it is not a good end and they do not get anyone.

At this time of year, it is important that the agricultural sector get staff. For example, farms need to be able to get extra support during calving season. If people have to wait 12 weeks, as is currently the case, or even longer to get work permits, the calving season will be over. If someone applies in December, the season will be well and truly over by the time a worker arrives. Even if the process goes well and a work permit is obtained, a visa must then be acquired, which takes a further eight weeks. The whole process takes almost six months.

There is a large backlog and considerable demand worldwide for workers. That is understandable and we are not the only country with this problem, but there are other European countries that are fast-tracking the process and operating much faster than us. Germany is delivering work permits and visas within six to eight weeks. Ireland's reputation abroad is decreasing. We get many people coming over from India on work permits. If people from India have a choice between Germany or Ireland, they will choose to go to Germany because they know that the process there is quicker and they will be able to work, get paid and provide for their families. Our delay has a knock-on effect in terms of the people we are trying to bring to Ireland. People who are in the application process are pulling their names out and going to other countries, such as Germany, because it is taking so long here. This means that the employer who has, on average, paid more than €1,000 is left with the bill but no one to show for it.

People in Tipperary are telling me of their frustrations with the system on a weekly basis. I understand that the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy English, are committed to solving it but demand is significant and the level of frustration is high. Even though we have increased the workforce that is assessing applications, there needs to be urgency in getting applications processed as quickly as possible, especially for the agricultural sector. Special cases can be made where people need workers extremely quickly. A special case needs to be made for agriculture, particularly at this time of year.

I will be interested in the Minister of State's response.