Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 204: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the refusal to issue new work permits in certain occupational sectors applies to employees already working in those sectors; if she agrees that this policy effectively prevents these workers from changing employers; when this policy will be changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5095/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Work permits are not issued in respect of certain ineligible job categories. These include low skilled clerical, administrative and general operative jobs where workers should be readily available in Ireland and the wider EEA, in sectors such as retail, transport, hotel and catering, construction etc and for child minding in domestic circumstances. Full details are available from my Departments website and from FÁS. This restriction does not apply to the renewal of existing work permits.

Where an employee wishes to change employers, a new permit can be applied for, but not to fill a job on the ineligible list. This should not prevent a worker applying for jobs that are eligible, including jobs in the meat and mushroom industries, farming and forestry sectors to mention just a few. The list of ineligible categories is kept under constant review by my Department in consultation with FÁS and was last updated in December 2003.

After EU enlargement, in May 2004, it is anticipated that new work permits will be granted only for higher skilled, higher paid employment, the balance of our overseas personnel needs being met from within the enlarged EU labour market.

The Department will readily renew permits of persons already working here, on receipt of a valid application.