Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he intends to take in advance of the Employment Permits Bill 2005 to make the work permits scheme more transparent for both potential employers and potential employees; the timetable for introduction of such steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23512/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Employment Permits Bill 2005 was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas on 14th June 2006. My priority is now directed towards the early introduction of the new economic migration arrangements which I announced in my opening address on the Second Stage of the Bill on 12th October 2005, comprising:

∙a Green Card for occupations where there are skills shortages, which will be 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;

∙for other occupations work permits will only be granted for an eligible list of occupations where it can be demonstrated, following a rigorous labour market test, that suitable employees are not available within the EEA;

∙the grant and issue in all cases of the employment permit or Green Card to the employee;

∙a re-established Intra-Company transfer scheme for temporary trans-national management transfers.

I expect to have these new arrangements put in place and fully operational by 2007 and their details will be accessible on my Department's website.