Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for work permits received by his Department in each of the past five years to date; the numbers granted and or refused in each of the years in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3676/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Since 2004, Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from within the work force of the European Economic Area (EEA). Current Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand for strategic skills and labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors such as healthcare, information technology and financial services.

The number of permits processed over the last five years are detailed in Appendix 1.

The numbers of employment permit applications submitted and issued have dropped since 2008 in line with economic conditions and the narrowing of eligible job categories and sectors where it was considered that a sufficient supply of labour exists. It is anticipated that the rate of decline in applications will reduce following a number of changes being made to the Employment Permits system shortly in order to attract more applications in respect of highly skilled employees, especially in the ICT sector, as it has been shown that a significant shortage of skilled employees currently exists in that sector.

Appendix 1

Employment Permits Processed