Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the confusion in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway who is seeking a work permit; and if he will assist them with a work permit. [38978/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Work Permit section of my Department informs me that, having heard an appeal, the original decision was upheld in this case. The proposed employee is currently the subject of a deportation order issued by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and is, therefore, not eligible to enter the workforce.

Furthermore, 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 work permit applications.