Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of work permits issued to date by him for 2011 to the meat processing industry; the number of work permits renewed in 2011; if, in view of the record levels of unemployment his policy in this area the progress being made on training persons working in meat plants so as to reduce the number of work permits required in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11111/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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To date in 2011, eight new work permits have been issued in respect of the meat processing industry. All eight permits were issued in respect of non-EEA nationals already in the State on valid employment permits but who wished to change employer. Additionally, 36 work permits in respect of non-EEA nationals already in the State with work permits were renewed with their existing employers.

Given the high levels of unemployment adverted to by the Deputy giving rise to over-capacity of labour supply in the domestic labour market, it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of: · highly skilled, highly paid positions or; · non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid

employment permits or; · where there is an officially recognised scarcity of workers of a particular

type or qualification.

In light of the challenging domestic labour market situation, all new applications for work permits, including those in the meat industry, will continue to be subject to a strict labour market needs test intended to maximize opportunities for the filling of vacancies from within the Irish labour market and the wider EEA.

The issue of further training in this sector is now a matter for my colleague, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, Minister for Education and Skills. However, it is standard practice for my Department to advise companies enquiring about new work permits for non-EEA nationals to consult with FÁS in the first instance in relation to their requirements.