Written answers
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Department of Foreign Affairs
International Agreements
9:00 pm
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 672: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons here who took up working holiday visas in 2009 under the agreements with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and the USA, by country; and the allocation of visas for here for each of these countries for 2010. [1387/10]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Working Holiday agreements are concluded between Ireland and other Governments on a reciprocal basis. For Irish citizens the application is administered directly with the Embassy concerned or through an authorised sponsoring organisation. While precise figures are not yet available in relation to the number of visa applications by Irish citizens approved in all of the countries listed, the table beneath sets out the visa allocations for 2010 and available information on the number approved in 2009.
In the case of Australia there is no specific allocation for Irish nationals under the Working Holiday Agreement. Approvals are usually dependant on meeting the eligibility criteria.
The working holiday agreement concluded between Ireland and the United States, which was launched in 2009, allows those enrolled in or recently graduated from post secondary education to apply for a visa to work and live in the United States for a period of one year. There is no numerical limit on the number of visas available.
Allocations under the Working Holiday agreements for each of the countries concerned are reviewed on a regular basis. Allocations remain unchanged from 2009 to 2010 with the exception of Canada which increased from 2500 to 4000. Information on visa approvals to the US is not released on an individual country basis so the figure quoted below is an estimate.
Working Holiday Agreement | No. of visa approvals in 2009 | Allocation 2010 |
Argentina | 16 (i) | 100 |
Canada | 2500 | 4000 |
Japan | 35 | 400 |
Hong Kong | 11 | 100 |
Australia | 16,938 | Not capped |
New Zealand | (ii) | Not capped |
USA | 400(i) | Not capped |
(i) Estimated figure.
(ii) I will forward the figure for New Zealand to the Deputy later.
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