Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of work permits that were granted by his Department in 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23074/11]

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 in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.

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 recognized scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification.

I wish to advise the Deputy that in 2010 a total of 7,501 employment permits issued, of which 3,555 were new and 3,946 were renewals. To-date in 2011 a total of 3,968 permits issued, of which 2,383 were new and 1,585 were renewals.

Detailed statistics on the numbers of permits issued over the last few years, broken down by sector, nationality and county, can be found on my Department's website at http://www.djei.ie/labour/workpermits/statistics.htm.