Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a work permit will issue to a person (details supplied). [9153/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is no record of a work permit application in this case. Applications, which are incomplete or incorrect, are returned to the employer for completion. I should add that, in the aftermath of EU enlargement, it is Government policy that employers should be able to source nearly all of their workforce needs from within the EU. Accordingly, only in cases where exceptional levels of skill and qualifications are needed for the job and the employer has made meaningful attempts to find EEA nationals first will my Department now consider granting work permits.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person (details supplied) has to be resident outside the State to apply for a work permit [9284/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Employment permits to work in the State take a number of forms including work permits, work authorisation, work visas and inter-company transfers. These permits are in respect of non-nationals of the European Economic Area, which comprises the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Work permits, which are granted to the employer, may be in respect of would be employees who may or may not be resident in the State. Work authorisations-work visas and inter-company transfers are given only to non-residents. Full details in relation to employment permits are contained in my Department's website at www.entemp.ie.