Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a work permit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41286/11]

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 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 a minimum salary of €30,000 per annum is on offer, based on a 39 hour week. In addition, it appeared from the information supplied that the company is trading under a Business Name that is not currently registered with the Companies Registration Office.

Having examined the appeal, the Appeals Officer upheld the original refusal decision in this case on the 5 January 2012.