Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has adopted a policy of denying work permits to Indian restaurant chefs on the grounds that candidates for these positions can be sourced exclusively from within the EU; the evidence upon which his Department based its conclusion that there are sufficient numbers of EU-national Indian chefs available to take up these positions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36572/05]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the job categories, other than those appearing on his Department's ineligible list, for which work permits will not be granted due to the fact that his Department believes they can be sourced exclusively from within the EU; when he intends revising the ineligible list to reflect the reality that workers in additional categories are being denied work permits on this basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36573/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.

Current policy is that generally new work permits are issued only in respect of highly skilled and-or highly paid positions. I am aware that within the European Economic Area there are communities from the main ethnic groups who are active in the restaurant and catering sector and, as a result, suitable employees are available to fill these positions. However, a limited number of work permit applications for fully-trained chefs for ethnic restaurants are considered. These applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

I indicated in my address on the Second Stage of the Employment Permits Bill 2005, on 12 October, that new arrangements would be introduced in order to implement an active managed economic migration policy. These comprise a green card for occupations where there are skills shortages, which will be available for a restricted list of occupations in the annual salary range from €30,000 to €60,000 and for a more extensive list of occupations in the annual salary range above €60,000; other sectors work permits will only be granted where it can be demonstrated, following a rigorous labour market test, that suitable employees are not available within the EEA; and a re-established intra-company transfer scheme for temporary transnational management transfers.