Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a work permit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40161/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits and all applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006. I wish to advise the Deputy that this Work Permit application was refused on the 26th 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;

· positions requiring specialist or scarce skills, expertise or qualifications which cannot be filled elsewise.

Furthermore, new Work Permit applications can only be considered where it is established that the position has been advertised with FAS/EURES for a period of 8 weeks and for at least six days in both local and national newspapers. In addition, it appeared from the information supplied that the proposed employee's immigration permission in the State precluded them from entering fulltime employment.

The applicant was notified of this decision in writing and of their right to appeal within 21 days. As no appeal was received in the Employment Permits Section within this timeframe the fees in this case were refunded to the applicant.

In these circumstances, therefore, this application cannot be re-visited.