Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 9 February 2010, if he will furnish a reply to the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25589/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits (Green Cards Permits, Work Permits, Spousal/Dependant Permits and Intra-company Transfer Permits). All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.

I set out hereunder the figures as requested by the Deputy. I apologise to the Deputy for the delay in responding but the figures requested were not readily available and necessitated a new report being created.

New employment permits issued in the last 5 years broken down by new first time permits and repeat new permits

Note: The total figure for new permits issued may differ slightly from those already provided but our stats views give a picture at a certain point in time and some of the permits issued in previous years may have subsequently been cancelled.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to review the work permit system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25686/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2004, a key element of Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from indigenous labour and from within the workforce of the European Union. For strategic skills or labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors, Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand. The various schemes that give effect to such policies - Green Cards, Work Permits, Spousal and Dependant Work Permits and permits for Intra-company Transferees - were introduced following enactment of the Employment Permits Act, 2006 and came into effect on 1st February 2007.

In early 2009, the Department undertook a review of employment permit arrangements to ensure their ongoing relevance to the needs of the Irish labour market. As an outcome of this review, more stringent eligibility criteria were implemented for prospective new entrants to the work permit schemes from 1st June 2009 onwards. The main changes to the Work Permits Scheme were:

Making more job categories ineligible for new work permits (equestrian work riders, domestic workers and HGV drivers now ineligible), and an ongoing assessment of other occupational categories regarding their continued eligibility.

No new permits for jobs carrying a salary level of less than €30,000 per annum except on an exceptional basis.

Strengthening the labour market needs test by doubling FÁS advertisement of the job vacancy from 4 weeks to 8 weeks, and national press advertisement from 3 days to 6 days.

More stringent conditions for the renewal of permits – higher fees and requirement for labour market needs test on renewal.

Spouses and dependants of new principal work permit holders, who have entered the State after 1st June 2009, having to apply for work permits in their own right and are subject to the standard eligibility criteria and fees for work permits.

The Employment Permits Act 2006 allows for regular review of Ireland's economic migration policies and my Department keeps these policies under review, in line with the emerging needs of the labour market, on an on-going basis.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to review the green card system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25687/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2004, a key element of Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from indigenous labour and from within the workforce of the European Union. For strategic skills or labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors, Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand. The various schemes that give effect to such policies - Green Cards, Work Permits, Spousal and Dependant Work Permits and permits for Intra-company Transferees - were introduced following enactment of the Employment Permits Act, 2006 and came into effect on 1st February 2007.

In early 2009, the Department undertook a review of employment permit arrangements to ensure their ongoing relevance to the needs of the Irish labour market. As an outcome of this review, more stringent eligibility criteria were implemented for prospective new entrants to the work permit schemes from 1st June 2009 onwards.

In relation to the Green Card Scheme, some 21 occupations, mainly in financial services, were removed from the Green Card eligibility list where the salary payable for the job is in the range €30,000-€59,999 per annum. These occupations continue to be eligible for Green Cards where the salary payable to the jobholder is €60,000 or more per annum.

The Employment Permits Act 2006 allows for regular review of Ireland's economic migration policies and my Department keeps these policies under review, in line with the emerging needs of the labour market, on an on-going basis.