Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the fast track working visa work authorisation programme's work in 2006; the number of visas or work permits issued through this system in each year from 2002 to 2006 inclusive; the number of valid visas or permits currently in circulation from this programme; the expected date by which all of these visas or permits will have expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2550/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The number of Work Visas/Work Authorisations issued for the period 2002 to end of September 2006 was 9,898.

Working Visa/Work Authorisations were issued for two years and could be renewed for a further two year period once persons fulfilled the conditions of the scheme. At end September 2006, the most recent date for which data is available, there were approximately 5,500 valid Work Visa/Worth Authorisations in force.

New working visa/work authorisation permits have not been issued since 31st December 2006 as they are being replaced by the Green Card Scheme with effect from 1 February 2007.