Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department put in place the operation of work in Ireland programmes; if all issues in relation thereto have been finalised in order to enable working holiday visas for applicants to the work in Ireland programme via USIT to be operated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recognises the value of international work and travel programmes for students. They contribute to the development of lasting links with other countries and provide valuable experience for students themselves. The operation of Work In Ireland programmes is overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs. That Department, in cooperation with my Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has been in consultation with USIT in relation to implementing new procedures for the operation of its Work In Ireland programmes to ensure the continuation of these programmes, as appropriate, in a way that benefits young Irish people and young people from those other countries to which these arrangements apply. Finalized new procedures were issued to USIT on 17 December by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which liaises with USIT regarding the operation of the programmes. I understand from that Department that applications to USIT for Summer 2008 travel and work programmes have recently begun and that no procedural difficulties have been indicated.

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a work permit will be issued to the employer's of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14244/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that this application was returned to the employer for completion on the 31/10/2007 and to-date they have no record of the completed application being returned to the Section.