Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for new work visas in 2011 and 2012; the number of new work visa applications approved in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15350/13]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the different sectors of the economy in which work visa applications were approved in 2011 and 2012 including retail and distribution and security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15351/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.

Since 2004, Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from within the workforce 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 health care, information technology and financial services.

The number of permits processed in 2011 and 2012 is detailed in Appendix 1.

The numbers of employment permit applications submitted and issued have dropped since 2009 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. The majority of positions within the retail, distribution and security trades are currently ineligible for new first time permits.

New and renewal permits issued over the last few years in those sectors were in respect of highly skilled positions, non-EEA nationals already resident in the State changing employers or in respect of spouses of existing permit holders.

APPENDIX 1

Permits issued in 2011 by Economic Sector

Permits issued in 2012 by Economic Sector

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I expect that the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill will be published in May 2013.

You will appreciate that the issue of how the assets of a pension scheme are distributed on the wind-up of a pension scheme is a sensitive and complex issue and one which requires careful consideration before any change is made to the current provisions. In this regard, my officials have completed a detailed review of these provisions which involved engagement with stakeholder representatives and with external consultants who provided valuable assistance in reviewing this issue.

The outcome of this review is being considered at present.