Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason a person's (details supplied) application for a green card permit was denied when they have a job offer from an employer registered with both the Revenue Commissioners and the CRO and would be earning between €30,000 and €60,000, and the job offer is in the restricted professions as outlined by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22469/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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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 strictly in date of receipt order by permit type and in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006. This particular Green Card application was refused on 6 July 2011 on the grounds that 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.

Furthermore, from the information submitted with the application, it appeared that the proposed employee was currently resident in the State without immigration permission and an employment permit could not be considered in this case. In addition, the Green Card Scheme is designed for high level, strategic skill shortage occupations in certain economic sectors and the position on offer does not appear to fall within this Scheme. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing and of their right to appeal within 21 days from the date of the refusal decision. To-date no such appeal has been received in the Employment Permits Section.

I wish to advise the Deputy that all appeals must be submitted by the applicant in writing addressed to the Appeals Officer in the Employment Permits Section of my Department and address all of the reasons for the refusal of the application. If the applicant wishes to submit an appeal within this timeframe, the Appeals Officer will then review the decision made.