Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will facilitate an application for a work permit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39989/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My officials inform me that my Department has no record of permits being applied for or issued in respect of the named individual. I should advise the Deputy that new employment permit applications are currently only considered for highly skilled, highly paid positions or for positions where there is an officially recognised scarcity of supply in relation to a particular qualification or occupation type. New and renewal applications may also be considered in respect of non-EEA nationals already legally resident in the State on a valid employment permit. In addition, new employment permit applications are normally only considered where it is established that a minimum salary of €30,000 per annum is on offer based on a 39 hour week and where the position on offer is one of the occupations currently eligible for a new employment permit.

Only experienced and qualified chefs are considered for the purpose of granting employment permits in respect of the restaurant sector. Furthermore, it is a requirement that applicants are not resident in the State when applying for an employment permit. If this person named by the Deputy wishes to apply for an employment permit he can obtain information on employment permit practices and procedures at